By definition, a belief is an opinion, and intolerance is disrespecting the beliefs of those that differ from yours. So by definition, yes you are being intolerant, but admittedly there is some grey in the middle. It comes down to the context and spirit of what you are saying, the idea of "love the sinner but hate the sin."
But is it really possible to love the sinner but hate the sin if you don't respect their belief? I think many parents can love their child and hate the sins of their child but, outside of family, I have my doubts. Especially when there are testimonies and examples of gay children with conservative and/or Christian parents being kicked out of their homes. Or worse, killing themselves because they couldn't measure up to the expectations of their parents.
I think it is also worth bringing up some lessons from Christ. After saving the woman from being stoned, he simply told her, "go and sin no more." He didn’t condemn her for committing adultery, he didn’t even tell her what sins she should no longer commit. More to the point, he stopped a valid punishment from occurring. The religious law was clear, if a person was found in adultery they were to be stoned. He instead caused the accusers to condemn themselves, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Please note that Christ also did not condemn the accusers but asked them to judge themselves.
Many Christians seemingly have good intentions when they try to correct their brother. But how can you judge or condemn your brother as a sinner without asserting your own self-righteousness or that your opinions (beliefs) hold more value than theirs? Only by accepting your brother as someone of equal value can you ever begin to love them. Christ taught that you must remove the beam from your own eye before trying to remove the speck from someone elses. Christ also taught that the second greatest commandment was to "‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
But is it really possible to love the sinner but hate the sin if you don't respect their belief? I think many parents can love their child and hate the sins of their child but, outside of family, I have my doubts. Especially when there are testimonies and examples of gay children with conservative and/or Christian parents being kicked out of their homes. Or worse, killing themselves because they couldn't measure up to the expectations of their parents.
I think it is also worth bringing up some lessons from Christ. After saving the woman from being stoned, he simply told her, "go and sin no more." He didn’t condemn her for committing adultery, he didn’t even tell her what sins she should no longer commit. More to the point, he stopped a valid punishment from occurring. The religious law was clear, if a person was found in adultery they were to be stoned. He instead caused the accusers to condemn themselves, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Please note that Christ also did not condemn the accusers but asked them to judge themselves.
Many Christians seemingly have good intentions when they try to correct their brother. But how can you judge or condemn your brother as a sinner without asserting your own self-righteousness or that your opinions (beliefs) hold more value than theirs? Only by accepting your brother as someone of equal value can you ever begin to love them. Christ taught that you must remove the beam from your own eye before trying to remove the speck from someone elses. Christ also taught that the second greatest commandment was to "‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
