I am intolerant because I refuse to accept modern definition of tolerance. This new, enlightened definition did not storm landscape in hard boots. It did not thrust itself on American culture as a result of a single, polarizing event. It crept, instead, ever so slowly into our national lexicon. It diffused below radar of conscience. It succeeded in becoming anchor of our modern morality.

My old college copy of American Heritage Dictionary states clearly that to tolerate means to “...recognize and respect, as rights, opinions, or practices of others whether agreeing with them or not.” With respect to another’s particular inclinations or behaviors, classic definition of tolerance allows me to honor their freedom while still honoring my conscience. I am able to judge actions, not people, from afar and hold those actions up to scrutiny of my moral code. Both of our free wills are rightly respected. Makes perfect sense.

The revised definition of tolerance, however, removes my ability to disagree with another’s actions. I am now under pressure to recognize, respect and approve all actions of my fellow man, regardless of where such actions reside on moral continuum. In other words, I must sanction that which is immoral, unlawful, or just plain sinful to avoid severe penalty. What severe penalty? The notorious badge of “intolerant.” It’s label that ends discussion, closes issue and hisses loudly that its recipient is a social leper. For absolute censorship, I expect “judgmental” added on as well.

So there I am - accused, indicted and executed without a trial. The true import of this penalty is that it now taints everything else that I have to say in future. Its broad scope ensures that I am properly vilified as one who considers himself above all others, looking down with disdain on a vast ocean of sinners. The sentence passed on me ensures that my moral code is bludgeoned out of existence. It’s been deemed old-fashioned, out-of-touch, or completely unenlightened. I am now persona non grata for my temerity in declaring anyone’s behavior to be wrong.

Funny thing is, in labeling me intolerant my culture fails to realize that I am simply honoring time-honored precepts I have chosen to live by. I am not operating from a set of principles developed on my own. I am not rendering my personal opinion. As a subscriber to a code of life known as Christianity, I have sworn to honor its demands. Going to Mass, fasting and prayer are part of my faith and pose few problems to society. Caring for poor and dispossessed even garner a degree of respect and approval. Identifying right and wrong actions, however, opens door to untold woe. I am instantly silenced and shunned for observing these demands of same code of faith. Could it be that modern notion of tolerance, unmasked, is simply hard-core intolerance?

On to my insensitivity. Yes, I am utterly insensitive, a regular Attila Hun. A bona-fide lost cause. Why? Because, like tolerance, term sensitive has been modified to fit emerging theology of now. Due to numerous socio-political contortions, I no longer have any earthly idea what this word means. My faithful dictionary reminds me that to be sensitive means, “...susceptible to attitudes, feelings or circumstances of others.” No doubt it is important to pay attention to welfare of others. Compassion and understanding are two hallmarks of human nature. Makes perfect sense.

We grew up in various denominations or in atheistic surroundings but we have all come to realise, that different paths do not lead to one and same destination. There are so many ways out there to choose from, so many people offering answers; Protestants, Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, Adventists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Buddhists, Moslems, atheists, ... The question is:

What is right way, what is truth?

The answer you often hear is "Everybody has his own truth", or "No one can really know it". In our opinion, such statements contradict fact that there is a reality. Either earth is round or it is flat. It cannot be both. The one reality remains absolute and unchanged regardless of way you look at it. It is same with religious questions. When it comes down to it, it is not possible for two opposing and contradictory alternatives to exist simultaneously, one for you and one for me. If reality is that there is a resurrection after death then there cannot be reincarnation. You cannot have both eternal life after death and annihilation of soul. If matter was created by God it cannot have existed from eternity. Or let us consider some other questions to which contradictory answers cannot both be right: Is Jesus God, or is he not? Does God predestine people to condemnation, or does he not? Can a man fall away from God, or can he not? Is man sinful by nature, or is he not? Does hell exist, or does it not?

Do not such questions and others like them inspire everybody who wants to get to know God's nature to have a standpoint? Can we remain indifferent to these questions if we are interested in finding out how to live according to God's will?

To find answers to these questions we think that we need neither a new revelation nor a new special method of interpreting Bible. Nor do we think that we are source of truth - we are far from being arrogant or from being perfect - but we believe that truth is accessible, because Jesus revealed it to mankind.

The majority of people hold opinion that there is no absolute truth. In our society, view that truth is relative is predominating ideology. Many people have become accustomed to this stream of thought and think that one's idea of truth is relative and has no validity for others, "What seems good to me is what is right!" However, if everything has same validity, then in end nothing matters; standard according to which good and bad, right and wrong are measured, is completely missing. Everyone can find something to suit his own personal taste and needs. People paint their own picture of heaven, choosing colours from a palette of their own desires and wishes, creating their own religion, which seems to fit well enough for time being... In fact, religion is widely treated as yet another branch of arts, like world of fashion in which people shape trends and trends, in turn shape people.

However, God's way is different:

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, {then} you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know truth, and truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32)