New Zealand has a history of tolerating many imported things
that have not always worked out well. From possums and stoats to gorse and
other noxious plants, we have been the recipients of many bad ideas. We do seem
to absorb these assaults with a degree of stoic British reserve, an “oh well!”
and a hot cuppa’.
We are now seeing the silent invasion from afar and though
we grumble about the obvious differences and the loss of jobs for our future
generations (who now find greater prospects overseas), we are encouraged when we hear
immigrants speak with a newly acquired Kiwi accent and think “well they are one
of us now, that’s alright, even if they do wear funny things on their heads
etc.”
Most of these events have been the result of successive stupid
government decisions based on greed or a quick fix. We take these things in our
stride and demonstrate an amazing tolerance for the bad or no leadership which
lies behind this dilution of “Pure New Zealand.”
This brings out a question to ponder: Is understanding, the
basis of our tolerance or is it just our culture of tolerance that brings a
grudging understanding?
Tolerance has become a global catch-cry as governments seek
to mollify their unhappy populations in the face of sociological challenges
never before imagined. In another parlance: “suck it up bro,’ live with it!”
When we travel overseas and get off the beaten tourist track
to spend time with the locals, understanding grows to become the basis of our
tolerance. We find ourselves assimilating some of their culture and
appreciating it. Such an attitude also works well right here in Godzone!
We learn by doing that tolerance begins best with
understanding and making the effort to get close to others. Our cultural
tolerance will wear thin and expose the ignorance that lies beneath. There is a
limit even for Kiwis!
Jesus pointed out in John 15:18 on, that the
World loves its own and hates what and who that it cannot understand. Though we
cannot stop hatred altogether, tolerance through understanding will make our
community a happier place to be.
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