Being and Doing – 9 November – Religious Toleration

IN spiritual Truth, whatever we know is infinitely precious, and we are bound at all costs to uphold the convictions which are borne in upon us. At the same time, we are not bound by any equal obligation to force them upon others.

Bishop WESTCOTT

IT is well for anyone to argue against opinions which he thinks false, to examine the grounds upon which they profess to rest, to endeavour to convert those who hold them to a different way of thinking.   But all this in no way justifies the attempt to persuade anyone to go against his conscience as long as his conscience remains unconvinced.   To convince a man that his conscientious convictions are not true is quite a different thing from persuading him to disobey them while he still thinks them true.   The fact is, that true Christian society and true Christian friendship cannot exist on any other basis than that of respecting each other’s consciences.

Bishop TEMPLE

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These quotes are from ‘Being and Doing’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1908 for members of the Being and Doing Guild whose object is to do all they can for the relief of suffering and misery.

Most of the writers are 19th Century Christians from Britain and Europe who were committed to living their faith through deeds as well as words – Being AND Doing.

For many years these words have kept me company and encouraged me on the journey of faith.  I hope they will encourage others also.