In this first chapter of my series on Pagan Virtues I am going to discuss tolerance. Webster defines as tolerance as ‘sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own.’
So how does one, as a parent, teach this to their kids? It is my belief that children are born tolerant. The idea of bigotry and racism is, in my opinion, something that is taught. So the real question here is not what can be done to teach it, but what can be done to encourage it to stick around.
The first step would be to examine yourself. Are you tolerant of all? Do you ever speak unkindly of people in a general manner? Children have few else to learn from, then their parents.
Then you need to wipe these things out of your thoughts and vocabulary.
If this doesn’t apply or you are ready to move on then you can work to expose your kids to different cultures and (if they are old enough) different religions. I know that in the plans for homeschooling my youngest, that when she gets old enough that the religious books of other faiths will be required. Tolerance comes from true knowledge of others.
For some tolerance will be an easy virtue to teach and for others it will be a difficult learning process for everyone involved.
For extra tips and exercises check out tolerance.org.
Blessed Be!
part 2–>

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