Discernment
- A Tool against Intolerance
Sister Janice McLaughlin MM
various issues ranging from climate
to further bloodshed and destruction
change, the Covid-19 virus, the role
in operations such as Gukurahundi
Few of us are as open-minded or as
of women in church and society or
and Murambatsvina. Violence before,
the political party that one supports.
during and after elections has become
Intolerance of different views can turn
commonplace as political parties
neighbour against neighbour and can
compete for votes, refusing to accept as
lead to destruction and even violence.
legitimate the views and arguments of
In this age of instant communication,
their opponents.
tolerant as Pope Francis. We have a tendency to judge, criticize and condemn those who differ from us, whether by race, tribe, religion, sexuality, beliefs and opinions. The word intolerance means an unwillingness or refusal to accept views, opinions and ways of behaving that are different from our own. When I was growing up in the United States
the media often play a negative role by stressing the most extreme positions and
Zimbabwe is being torn apart by the
playing upon the prejudices and fears of
intolerance of one group toward another
the public.
and the unwillingness of either side to enter into dialogue with the other
my family had a rule never to discuss religion or politics as these were bound
or to find common ground. Each side Zimbabwe’s history is riddled with
claims to have the truth and labels its
conflict between one group and another
rivals as traitors, ‘sell-outs’, pawns of
parts of the world today.
from pre-colonial times to the present.
the British or Americans, or captives
The advent of Independence in 1980 was
of banana republics in Eastern Europe,
POLARISATION HAS GROWN
meant to unite the nation as one people.
or subversives, seeking regime change.
This harmony was short-lived, however,
Even the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops
as subsequent events proved, leading
have been labeled as enemies of the
to cause quarrels and to destroy family relationships. This is still true in many
The world is increasingly polarized between people with opposing views on
Mukai - Vukani No.78 | October 2020 |
Mukai - Vukani No.78 | October 2020 |
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