November 16: International Day of Tolerance. A sign of civilization or criminal connivance?

Since 1995, the world regularly celebrates November 16 - International Day of Tolerance (Tolerance). What does this strange holiday mean? Does this mean that anyone celebrating this date supports homosexuality and other "deviations"? Does an Orthodox believer, who honors traditions, have the right to participate in events dedicated to the Day of Tolerance? This we will consider in this article. First of all, we will understand the meaning of the term "tolerance". He happened from the Latin word "tolerantia" - patience. But how far should this restraint be spread? Does not tolerance mean indulgence to any lawlessness?

History of the International Day of Tolerance

The initiative to establish this holiday belongs to UNESCO. It was on this first day of the second decade of November 1995 that the organization adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance. It talks about the equality of all people, regardless of the color of their skin, religion or origin. And a year later, at the UN General Assembly, member states decided to celebrate this event annually. But the same principles mentioned in the 1995 Act are prescribed in the Universal (or, as it is still called, universal) Declaration of Human Rights - a famous document that was approved in 1948. Why did you need this legal dubbing? Why, except on December 10 (the day of adoption of the UDHR) to celebrate November 16 as well? The International Day of Tolerance was adopted as a landmark date in order to draw humanity's attention to the scary picture. In the twenty-first century, despite the progress and technical rise of civilization, here and there on our planet people are persecuted, humiliated and insulted for being "different." And this discrimination causes violence and extremism. To educate people for respect for the "other" and prevent these manifestations, and is celebrated on November 16.

International Day of Tolerance: events

The states that are members of the UN, having ratified the Declaration of Principles of Tolerance, thereby pledged not only to create fair legislation, but also to adhere to norms in the judicial and administrative system that would take into account the provisions of this act. And besides, they must do everything to make the citizens of these countries more tolerant of those who differ in something from them. And this is not so easy to do. The adoption of laws, the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration, are only a "material" condition for the formation of a tolerant society. But without proper education in the spirit of respect for another's identity, all this will turn into an empty recitation. On November 16, the International Day of Tolerance is a test of the society on how people are ready to perceive alien views, the way of life, their faith and traditions that are far from them in spirit. The events can be completely different: from round tables with discussion of the rights of disabled people to the television broadcast of the film "Dandies", which tells about the youth subculture in the USSR in the fifties of the last century.

What is tolerance?

The very word "patience" has a negative connotation. It means to suffer. We subconsciously experience unpleasant emotions in cases when people behave differently than we do, dress strange, lead an alien way of life, profess unacceptable views for us. And some of us are even inflamed with "righteous anger". But maybe we ourselves look like strange "renegades" in the eyes of these other people? Let's think about this on November 16th. The International Day of Tolerance is called once again to emphasize a simple fact of life: we are all different, and we are all equal. It is not necessary to require others to be "like everyone else," and, moreover, resort to violence. Live in a harmonious, multicultural society, it will be easier for you, when you with your views or self-identity will be in the minority.

How far should tolerance extend?

When the holiday was established on November 16, the International Day of Tolerance, the states consciously established and the framework of tolerance. A person is free to live as he sees fit, as long as his freedom to express himself does not affect the rights of others. Thus, a hooligan who behaves ill-mannered (mutilating, soring and insulting others) can not be an object of tolerance. Also, any social and political groupings that profess racial, religious and other hatred can not tolerate society. Tolerance and pluralism are signs of a civilized society. They also bring up law-abiding. So do not be afraid to celebrate November 16 - International Day of Tolerance. The pictures that usually show children in schools to commemorate this date emphasize both the difference and the equality between people.