Promoting Tolerance: The Imago Dei as an Imperative for Christian Social Workers

Abstract

Although tolerance is a foundational social work value, surprisingly little has been written on the subject. Given the challenges posed by the nation's growing diversity, we believe that the topic warrants some discussion. In this article, we construct a rationale for Christian social workers to exhibit tolerance based upon the concept of the imago Dei, or the image of God. Our hope, however, is that others will join this postmodern‐based conversation, developing arguments for tolerance that draw from, and speak to, individuals from an array of narratives. By populating professional discourse with a variety of strengths‐based rationales for tolerance, social work might model a new framework for addressing differences in an increasingly diverse and often polarized society.

Keywords:

• Tolerance
• diversity
• religion
• spirituality
• Christianity