To the editor:
Definition of tolerance: A sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own.
It is upon this word that our multi-faith, multicultural, and politically free Canada is built. Tolerance does not mean that we have to embrace or endorse the political, religious, moral, or cultural beliefs and practices of another. But it does mean we have to live respectfully and peacefully with those who think or believe differently than we do and to stand shoulder to shoulder with them if their right to peacefully and lawfully express those beliefs is threatened. Think of a family whose members vigorously disagree about religion and politics but love and value each other anyway, and immediately close ranks if one of the family is threatened.
Therefore, out of compassion for six members of our Canadian family who were murdered this week, and our own desire for religious freedom in this country, all people of faith or no faith must stand with Canadian Muslims and condemn in the strongest terms, the attack on the Quebec mosque. The national head of my church expressed it well: “Let me say how deeply grieved I am – as I’m sure you are – by the violence at the mosque in Ste-Foye, Québec City which resulted in six deaths. This is not the Canada any of us want. Please pray with me for those who were wounded, as well as the many who are grieving and traumatized by this horror.”
Linda Chamberlayne, Kelowna
