In many countries, ethnic minorities who have their rights protected by law often find themselves the object of intolerance. Guaranteeing freedom by law clearly does not get to the roots of intolerance. The fact that intolerance is hidden below the surface does not mean that it does not exist. If at some future time circumstances change and perhaps lead to an atmosphere of prejudice, latent intolerance can easily come to the fore. Even if people are not directly persecuted, they may be the object of animosity or their ideas may be suffocated. How can this be prevented?
We naturally tend to reject or suspect that which is different or unusual, especially views that differ from our own. Does this mean that tolerance is impossible? The UN publication Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief lists ignorance and lack of understanding as being “among the most important root causes of intolerance and discrimination in the matter of religion and belief.” However, ignorance, the root of intolerance, can be fought. How? By balanced education. “Education may be the prime means of combating discrimination and intolerance,” states a report of the UN Commission on Human Rights.
What should be the aim of this education? The magazine UNESCO Courier suggests that instead of fostering rejection of religious movements, “education for tolerance should aim at countering influences that lead to fear and exclusion of others, and should help young people to develop capacities for independent judgement, critical thinking and ethical reasoning.”
Obviously, the media can play an important part in promoting “critical thinking and ethical reasoning.” Many international organizations recognize the power of the media to shape minds and to encourage mutual understanding. If the media, though, are to foster tolerance rather than promote intolerance as some do, responsible, objective journalism is required. On occasion, journalists must go against popular accepted opinion. They must bring to bear objective analysis and impartial observations. But is that enough?
Tolerance does not mean that everyone should have the same ideas. People might disagree with one another. Some may feel strongly that the beliefs of another person are very wrong. They may even speak publicly of their disagreements. However, as long as they do not spread lies to try to incite prejudice, this is not intolerance. Intolerance is seen when a group is persecuted, targeted by special laws, marginalized, banned, or in some other way hindered from following their beliefs. In the most extreme form of intolerance, some kill and others have to die for their beliefs.
How can intolerance be fought? It can be exposed publicly, as the apostle Paul exposed the intolerance of religious leaders of his day. (Acts 24:10-13) When possible, though, the best way to fight intolerance is to work proactively—to promote tolerance, that is, to educate people to understand others better. The UN report on the elimination of intolerance referred to earlier says: “As all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief have their birth in the human mind, so it is at human minds that action should initially be directed.” Such education may even lead individuals to examine their own beliefs.
Federico Mayor, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, wrote: “Tolerance is the virtue of the person who has conviction.” Writing in the magazine Réforme, Dominican priest Claude Geffré said: “Real tolerance rests on strong conviction.” A person who is comfortable with his own beliefs is quite likely not to feel threatened by the beliefs of others.
Despite the best intentions of many and the concerted efforts of some, religious intolerance clearly remains a problem today. For there to be a real change, something more is necessary. The French newspaper Le Monde des débats highlighted the problem: “Modern society suffers too often from an emotional and spiritual void. The law can guarantee freedom against those who threaten it. It can and should guarantee equality before the law, without arbitrary discrimination.” The book Democracy and Tolerance admits: “We have a long way to go to reach the goal of making mutual understanding and respect a universal standard of behaviour.”
This information is directly quoted from an article that appeared in the January 8, 1999 issue of Awake!
Yet the purpose of the article, the final one in the cover series of that issue, was not to defend the rights of all minority groups. Just one. Its aim was to highlight how Jehovah’s Witnesses have been the victims of religious intolerance. In the previous article, numerous quotes were presented that cited only Jehovah’s Witnesses for being peace loving, honest, tax paying, exemplary citizens.
The article also stated the following:
“Jehovah’s Witnesses have found that an excellent way to promote tolerance is to talk with others of different beliefs. The Witnesses take seriously Jesus’ prophecy that “this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations,” and they are well-known for their public evangelizing ministry. (Matthew 24:14) In this work, they have the opportunity to hear people of many different religions—as well as atheists—explain their beliefs. In turn, the Witnesses are prepared to explain their own beliefs to those who wish to listen. Thus they promote growth in knowledge and understanding. Such knowledge and understanding make it easier for tolerance to flourish.” (Awake January 8, 1999 pgs. 10-12)
Are Jehovah’s Witnesses really encouraged to hear people of many different religions, even atheists, explain their beliefs? Is the purpose of their door to door ministry to promote tolerance?
Consider what Witnesses are taught in the Watchtower magazine:
“Many who study the Bible progress to baptism. However, some who regularly study the Bible with us seem reluctant to become disciples. They enjoy their studies, but they are not progressing to baptism. If you are conducting a Bible study, we are sure that you want to help your student to apply what he learns and to become a disciple of Christ. This article will discuss how we can reach the student’s heart and how we can help him grow spiritually. Why do we need to discuss this topic? Because at some point we might have to decide whether to continue the study or not. (The Watchtower January 2020 pg. 3 par. 7)
“Read Matthew 28:19, 20. As we conduct Bible studies, we have to try our best to “make disciples . . . , teaching them to observe all the things [Jesus has] commanded.” We need to help people understand how important it is for them to take their stand for Jehovah and his Kingdom. This means trying to motivate people to make the truth their own by applying what they learn, dedicating their life to Jehovah, and getting baptized. Only then will they survive Jehovah’s day.—1 Pet. 3:21. (The Watchtower October 2019 pgs. 11-12)
“Perhaps nothing distinguishes us as much as our extensive preaching work—from house to house, in public places, and wherever people are found. Why do we do it?
Jehovah’s Witnesses preach to glorify God and to make known his name. (Hebrews 13:15) We also want to obey Christ Jesus, who commanded: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”—Matthew 28:19, 20.
Moreover, we love our neighbor. (Matthew 22:39) Of course, we realize that most people have their own religious beliefs and that not everyone is interested in our message. Still, we feel that Bible teachings are lifesaving. That is why we continue “without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ,” as did the first-century Christians.—Acts 5:41, 42. (The Watchtower September 1, 2015 pg. 7 “Why Do We Preach?”)
Clearly, Witnesses believe in order to be in harmony with Jesus instructions that much more is involved than sharing with people what they have learned from the Bible. They must make disciples of persons. This involves refuting what they consider false teachings. Any that would oppose or offer criticism of their interpretations must be strictly avoided. Jesus warned that such peaceful proselytizing would inevitably be viewed as a threat by others. (Matt. 10:22,23) Yet why does the Awake article seek to give the impression that witnesses are not engaged in proselytizing?
Additionally, while witnesses themselves take no violent or coercive action against those of other religions, they are instructed to shun family members and friends that leave the organization because of doctrinal differences. These are labeled as apostates and are characterized as evil and dishonest:
The Watchtower Society’s Definition of Apostasy
Watch Tower Society publications define apostasy as the abandonment of the worship and service of God by members of the Christian congregation, and equate it with rebellion against God. (wt 7/15/11 pg. 15)
Apostate behavior is said to include the rejection of biblical teachings or requirements, the rejection of Jehovah’s organization, (Reasoning From the Scriptures pg. 34)
association with or support for another religious group and celebration of religious holidays. (wt 7/1/94 pg. 12 par. 14)
It is grounds for expulsion from the group and subsequent shunning. (wt 3/15/86 pg. 15 par. 17; wt 4/1/86 pg. 31) )
Promotion of personal doctrinal views that deviate from official teachings is also regarded as apostasy. (wt 4/1/86 pg. 31)
The “identifying marks” of apostates are said to include attempts to gain followers, ( wt 7/15/11 pg. 15 par. 4; wt 2/15/04 pg. 16 par. 7)
disregard for the Witnesses’ preaching activity, (Reasoning From the Scriptures pg. 34)
rejection of God’s visible organization, (wt 2/15/04 pg. 16 par. 6)
public criticism of other Witnesses and attempts to hinder their work. (wt 4/15/09 pg. 6 par.15)
Other identifying behavior is said to include deviation from the truth, twisted, empty speech,
hypocrisy and involvement in deeper forms of ungodliness. (wt 8/1/80 pg. 18 par. 6)
Watch Tower Society literature says apostates are motivated by vitriolic bitterness and that their writings are poisonous, (wt 7/1/94 pg. 11 par. 10)
distorted and false, (wt 2/15/11 pg.19)
display the characteristics of “cunning, contrived error, (wt 7/15/11 pg. 16 par.5)
prideful intelligence, (wt 7/1/94 pg. 12 par. 13)
lack of love and dishonesty” (wt 2/15/04 pg. 28; wt 7/1/94 pg. 12 par. 13)
and are designed to undermine the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (wt 7/15/11 pg. 15 par. 4)
Apostates are described as proud, independent, (wt 8/1/80 pg. 19 par. 11)
ungrateful and presumptuous, mentally diseased, (wt 7/15/11 pg. 16 par. 6)
displaying jealousy, fits of anger and other unchristian conduct and are said to often fall victim to drunken bouts, loose conduct and fornication. (wt 8/1/80 pg. 20 par. 13)
Apostates are said to have become part of the antichrist and are regarded as more reprehensible than non-Witnesses. (wt 4/1/86 pg. 31)
They are described as “anti-God” and doomed to destruction. (wt 3/15/75 pg. 167)
Witnesses are told they must loathe and hate in the “biblical sense of the word” those who are defined as apostates and show no curiosity about their ideas, (wt 10/1/93 pg. 19 par. 15)
and that apostates’ “whole purpose is to tear down God’s people and to distort the truth.” (wt 2/15/04 pg. 17 par. 8)
Apostates must be shunned and Witnesses are warned that those who greet one become “a sharer in his wicked works”. (wt 5/1/00 pg. 10 par. 10; wt 3/15/86 pg. 13 par. 10; wt 4/1/83 pg. 24 par. 17)
It has been admitted that several thousand of Jehovah’s Witnesses have to be disfellowshipped each year, the majority for sexual immorality. (Jehovah’s Witnesses Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom pg. 103)
It is unknown how many have left over disagreeing with what they perceive to be false teachings presented by the organization. However, such ones can be considered an ethnic minority. Even though their rights are protected by law they still find themselves the object of intolerance. The fact that their intolerance is hidden below the surface does not mean that it does not exist. They are not allowed to speak publicly of their disagreements, as long as they do not spread lies to try to incite prejudice. But are indeed, marginalized, banned and thus hindered from following their beliefs.
This Awake article commendably states that there exists a scripturally approved way to fight intolerance. How? It can be exposed publicly, as the apostle Paul exposed the intolerance of religious leaders of his day. (Acts 24:10-13)
However, it suggests that the best way to fight intolerance is to work proactively—to promote tolerance, that is, to educate people to understand others better. They would demand that others treat them and their ministry in this way.
The final paragraph in the series references a statement in the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
“RECOGNITION of the inherent dignity and of equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” It then goes on in its final paragraph to make this point:
“While it is relatively easy to determine which human rights should be protected, it is not always easy to define which human responsibilities should be universally accepted. However, some of the values in the proposed Declaration of Responsibilities find their inspiration in the timeless and universal Golden Rule, given by Jesus some two thousand years ago: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.”—Matthew 7:12.
While the Bible has often been the inspiration behind laws protecting human rights, it stresses the notion of personal responsibility. “If one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him,” declared the disciple James. (James 4:17) Just as Jesus looked for ways to do good to others, true Christians also try to do good to their fellowman. Not content with simply exercising their rights, they appreciate that with rights come responsibilities and that each of us is responsible to God for his own actions. (Awake January 8, 1999 pg. 13)
The difficulty lies in the fact that persons that do not love the truth do not like their beliefs challenged.
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