Tolerance 관용

 

       (written in 2007) 

 The Roman Catholic Church proclaimed the year of St. Paul from June 2007 to June 2008. St Paul was once an extreme persecutor but was completely converted to be the patron of all the people in the world.

 The good news of St. Paul is so essential and universal that his sayings and teachings appeal to various Christians. Whether Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican, every Christian is impressed by the lives and thoughts of St. Paul.

 The spirit of St. Paul is still alive in this contemporary world; he constantly walks with us. Various denominations raise their different voices, and some assertions sound narrow-minded and prejudiced. It's a pity to see some people completely denying and rejecting other religions.

 The other day, I met a gentleman on
the subway. He approached me and asked, "Do you think you can be saved?"

I said, "Yes, I do."

"Wow, you do? I don't think you can be saved by this religious uniform."

"Why do you think so?"

"You know, Catholics are quite wrong in many ways."

"For example?"

"First, we are not saved by good deeds; we are saved by faith alone. We are saved by the grace of God only. Second, the first commandment says not to honor other Gods except the Lord himself. However, you are honoring many things by bowing to statues…."

 There was not enough time to talk because I had to get off the subway soon. He asked me to give him my telephone number, but I said "I'm sorry"  and got off the subway.

 He looked like a pastor, but I was sorry to hear his somewhat distorted prejudice. We often argue subjective opinions and standards with insufficient understanding and intolerance.

 During my last summer vacation, I visited Naksan Temple in Gangwon Province. Large-scale reconstruction work was going on because of a tragic fire there.

 While strolling the temple, I noticed free vending machines here and there. Coffee and tea were served free of charge. Lunch with noodles was also served for nothing.

 As far as I know, this is the only temple that serves free coffee to visitors. Whenever we go, we usually have to pay even for a cup of coffee.

 On the way to Hongnyeon Temple, our members met a monk in charge of the reconstruction. He was happy to meet us on the way and willingly invited us to have noodles and to have green tea in his tea room.

 While sipping tea and watching the waves outside the window, we talked about reincarnation and religious life. We had different points of view, but that didn't matter. We just opened ourselves to talk freely and appreciate differences.

 We differ. All of us in the world differ from one another. Just look at flowers. Every flower differs in color, shape, fragrance, and lifespan. Each of them lives with the help of the sun, rain, wind, and the earth. They just exist and enjoy their lives to the full. They are in full bloom one day and wither away naturally.

 Especially in terms of politics and religions, accepting others as they are and appreciating variety seems to be more difficult. However, I do believe that what makes something more beautiful and worthwhile is not formality and uniformity but variety and difference.

 We are now moving from the age of 'innovation' to the age of 'creativity.' A professor suggests three conditions to build a society filled with creativity. These are talent, technology, and tolerance. What we need most is tolerance for other ideologies, religions, personalities, cultures, and nations. For this, St. Paul who became an apostle of the Gentiles would be the best example to follow.

 

As small or large flowers in various colors,

let's smile from our heart to the full.

 

Instead of complaining about insufficiency,

let's fill in the empty space one another.

 

Once becoming passed away,

days will never come back again.

Like the waves constantly moving

let's dance most joyfully.

 

In spite of foaming away,

let's sing for this moment.

 

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2007/08/137_9053.html

The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Aug. 28, 2007