Are you tolerant of people that are intolerant?

As a believer in Jesus I feel that I am being asked to be “tolerant” of any and everything.  I would say based on who I am, I am willing to do so.

When men asked what to do with a prostitute, Jesus said the following:  When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  John 8:7 (NIV)

I am just as sinful as anyone therefore I cannot judge or cast a stone.  If people choose to live a certain way, I pray that they see God’s will in their life and ask for Him to guide them.  I am just a vessel seeking to love others just as Jesus showed us to.  We are told in the Bible if we do not love, it is all worthless.  (1 Corinthians 13)

This past week I read something that helped me realize that even though I am going to be “tolerant” of what is going on, others will not be “tolerant” of my faith.  It feels a little like I am being asked to do one thing while everyone else does not need to.  In the following article I was disturbed by one statement:  http://christiannews.net/2013/03/24/starbucks-ceo-to-shareholder-if-you-support-biblical-marriage-sell-your-shares/

The comment is:

“At the annual Starbucks shareholder’s meeting this past Wednesday in Seattle, company officials told those who support Biblical marriage that they “can sell [their] shares in Starbucks and buy shares in another company.””

I am tolerant if people do not support Biblical marriage.  I am tolerant if people want to offer a business that does not support biblical marriage.  Where I get upset is when an owner of a company does not support my beliefs or is not willing to be tolerant of what I believe.

As I have said, I am so sorry and formally apologize of how people may perceive “Christians” and/or the church!  I will accept anyone with God’s love for what He or She is doing and/or living.  I will not tolerate anyone that will send me on my way and tell me that based on my beliefs that I need to walk away.

Starbucks, I am not going to stop supporting your company due to your beliefs but I am going to stop supporting your company due to the fact that you are not supporting mine!

I pray for your company and success.  I pray that God’s will be done!  I pray that you understand my feelings and I am so sad that you appear to not support or tolerate my Biblical beliefs.

If you know me, you would know that this is a big deal.  I love Starbucks and the products they have.  But, from this day forward I will not support Starbucks.  I plan on buying my coffee from a place that will tolerate my beliefs!

Are you willing to make a stand?  Do you think I am over reacting?  Are you thinking this is useless in doing this?  Will you support a company that clearly states that they will not tolerate your beliefs?

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image:  Lali Masriera