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"Greetings, I am pleased to see that we are different. May we together become greater than the sum of both of us." This Vulcan greeting from the television show Star Trek positively expresses the idea of tolerance. Tolerance, as defined by Webster's Online Dictionary, is the endurance of the presence or actions of objectionable persons, or of the expression of offensive opinions; the capacity to, or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs of others. The meaning of tolerance is often used in our culture to describe accepting people as they are, regardless of race, creed, or religious beliefs. Although there is a general positive intention on behalf of those who use the term tolerance to describe this act, it can also be taken negatively as well. Tolerance is often classified in two manners, positively (as in equality, unprejudiced) and negatively (as in merely putting up with the differences of others). "What is toleration? It is the prerogative of humanity. We are all steeped in weaknesses and errors: Let us forgive one another's follies, it is the first law of nature." This quote from philosopher Voltaire describes the positive classification of tolerance. This frequently used connation of the word has become widespread since the genocide of the Jewish people during World War II, and also the Civil Rights Movement in America. Since these events our culture focuses much on tolerance, we teach it to our children and look down upon those who do not uphold this value. A well-known teacher of tolerance is Dr.
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