I Believe

      I had a disturbing experience with a long-time colleague that has caused me to spend some serious time reflecting on the roles of both tolerance and religious truth in our society.   After working together and being friends for nearly five years, I was surprised one day with a very hostile encounter.   My colleague confronted me with the assertion that he was no longer interested in being friends with me because he had discovered I was a practicing Mormon (not sure why it took five years for him to learn this).        He explained that because the Mormon Church did not support homosexual relationships that he was no longer willing to tolerate and respect me as a friend.   In response, I reminded him that I had always known of his sexuality and had always treated him with respect.   I was confused:   I had always tolerated and respected him and his beliefs, why was he no longer willing to return to me the same tolerance and respect.   He acknowledged that his issue was no