The Truth about Tolerance and Relationships

In keeping with Yesterday's theme of "what matters most in a relationship" I was thinking about the interesting phenomena (or more accurately, contradiction) that all of us live with when it comes to our romantic relationships. No matter how open-minded you may consider yourself to be or how far left or right or up in the sky you are- this is true of you. It's amazing that in 21st century America the highest and most commended virtue is tolerance. Tolerance for those who are different from you and/or may have different beliefs, values or customs as you - everywhere from the workplace to the Doctor's surgery to your child kindagarten class, tolerance is the highest and most noble of virtues and peace is the highest good. Good enough. But, the truth is when it comes to relationships and in keeping wth the importance of "immaterial" over the material things in a relationship, we are the least tolerant when it comes to who we want to get involved with romantically and emotionally. Think about it . . . do you want to marry someone who is of a different religion than you? (usually there would be a concession or compromise before any official plansare made) Do you want to spend the rest of your life with someone who disagrees with your most basic and cherished views ? If you believe in God do you want to spend most of your time with an atheist ? For most of us the answer is no. We want someone who shares and agrees with our views. We'll only tolerate values, beliefs, customs and morals that are the same as our own. And that's the truth.