Tolerate or accept?

Big ballot issue here in Maine today.

Question one asks voters if they want to reject Maine's same-sex marriage law, allowing individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages.

I had a very interesting conversation I just had at the voting booth. As I was leaving, I was exit polled about Question 1. I got the sense that the poller wasn’t exactly an independent body if you know what I mean. They asked me point blank how I voted on 1. I proudly said that I voted NO. The reaction I got was one of questioning I guess. The poller then said..” so what you’re saying is that you can tolerate Gays. I was quite taken aback and offended by the question but I chose not to react. Instead, I calmly and sincerely said. “I’m so very sorry that you see the world and others in it through a filter of tolerance.” The poller was left speechless I must say!

After driving back to work, the first thing that came to mind was my children. I don’t want them to tolerate a person’s beliefs, morals, preferences, opinions, societal views, political leanings, etc. I want them to accept them as the wondrousness of our world. I don’t expect them to always agree but I will not accept them simply tolerating. Our differences are what should bring us together not divide us. Our uniqueness should build our bridges not widen the gulfs. The world is too beautiful for all that.

Have a great day