I know so many people who think tolerance is for those without strength of belief, as if not having the desire to control those around us is a sign of weak will or insincerity. I disagree. To love unconditionally is a challenge. It requires introspect, patience, and understanding that we can only be responsible for the good that we do. It demands the dismissal of resentment and anger and insists that we process things that we may not want to process in order to move past them and let go.

The fact that I will not persecute those who don't agree with me does not show a lack of fealty, in fact I think it's quite the opposite. I will show love to those who show me hate, I will listen and ask questions of those I disagree with, and I will both seek understanding and accept that there is much that I may never understand. I will do these things out of conviction to this doctrine: Warmth begets warmth begets warmth. This is belief, this is faith.