Which religions have been tolerant out of every religion for the last 2000 years?

Answer 1

AnswerFreke and Gandy say that in every religion there are 'literalists' and those who seek knowledge of the Truth. They say that literalists believe that their particular spiritual traditions are different from all others and have a unique claim on the Truth. They obsessively formulate dogmas which define membership of their particular cult, and are prepared to enforce their opinions and silence those who dissent. Those who seek knowledge of the Truth, who can be referred to as Gnostics, are free to question the presuppositions of their own culture and to follow their hearts in a private quest for enlightenment.

By this definition, 'literalists' include such beliefs as Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. However, Zoroastrianism does not seem to have ever been a strongly proselytising religion, and the Old Testament attests to the generous efforts of the Zoroastrian Persians in re-establishing Judaism after the Babylonian Exile.

Edward Gibbon describes the pagan sects of the early Roman Empire as almost universally tolerant. Certainly, new cults were allowed to arise, and prosper or fall, on their own merits. Edward Gibbon points out that, in spite of occasional uprisings, Judaism was treated with respect and tolerance before the reign of Constantine, and that the Christian Church experienced long periods of peace under the pagan Roman emperors.

Early Christianity appears to have been divided somewhat equally between Gnostics and literalist Christians. There is every evidence that the Gnostic Christians were tolerant of diversity in their own ranks, as well as those opposed to their own views. Gnostic Christianity was almost wiped out in the persecutions of the fourth century, although it was probably already in decline.

Another branch of Christianity, now almost forgotten but at one stage having more adherents and greater influence than the western, Latin-speaking Church, is Nestorianism. Although also a literalist sect, Nestorianism can be described as tolerant, evidenced by the generous assistance that its bishop in Chang'an, China, provided to the Indian Buddhist missionary, Prajna, during the eighth century.

By and large, Buddhism has, over the course of the centuries, been a tolerant religion. Daoism has been associated with repression as well as tolerance and co-existence, influenced to a large extent by the ruling dynasty.

Although not tolerant in the way of the pagans, Gnostics and Buddhists, Islam has nevertheless been somewhat tolerant of the "people of the Book" - Christians and Jews. Under Islam, Christians and Jews have enjoyed long periods in which they could worship as they pleased, although often humiliated and treated as second-class citizens, and in many other ways encouraged to convert to Islam. At other times, Muslim rulers or Muslim people have engaged in massacres and persecution of Christians and Jews, but not to the same extent or duration as literalist Christians have persecuted others.

Answer 2

There is no single religion that can be considered universally tolerant throughout the last 2000 years. However, some examples of religions known for promoting tolerance and inclusivity include Buddhism, Jainism, and certain mystical branches of Islam, such as Sufism. These religions emphasize principles like non-violence, compassion, and acceptance of different beliefs. Nonetheless, it is important to note that interpretations and practices within these religions can vary.