Legal Definitions - toleration

Toleration refers to the act of allowing or permitting something to exist, happen, or be expressed, even if one does not entirely approve of it, or if it differs from established norms or personal preferences. It involves refraining from interference or suppression, thereby enabling the existence of diverse opinions, beliefs, or practices.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a city council that approves a permit for a minority religious group to construct a new place of worship, even though the majority of the city's residents adhere to a different faith. The council members themselves might not share the beliefs of this group, but they uphold the group's right to practice their religion and establish their community. This demonstrates toleration because the city is allowing a practice that differs from the prevailing norms without actively hindering it.

• Consider a workplace that implements a policy allowing employees to express their individuality through their attire, as long as it meets professional standards and safety requirements. For example, an employee might have brightly colored hair or visible tattoos, which some colleagues or management might not personally prefer. The company's policy reflects toleration by permitting employees to express personal styles that might not be universally approved of or align with older corporate norms, as long as these expressions do not negatively impact the work environment or professional conduct.

• Think about a university campus where various student organizations hold different political views, some of which are unpopular or controversial among the wider student body or faculty. The university administration, while not necessarily endorsing every viewpoint, allows these groups to hold peaceful meetings, debates, and demonstrations on campus, provided they adhere to university rules and do not incite violence or harassment. This is an act of toleration, as the university permits the expression of diverse and potentially challenging opinions without suppressing them.