What happened to tolerance??

Why is it that I am seeing a growing trend of intolerance in small children?

Just yesterday, I had to restrain myself when a kid told Zoe that she was a bad person and that she was going to go to Hell! It was Zoe's turn on the computer and she took a little longer than expected... so he (a boy who would steal your pants if they weren't buttoned, and lies bout EVERYTHING) told my baby that she was going to go to hell... She completely freaked out, unplugged the computer and threw the keyboard, but what amazes me the most is that she was later playing and laughing with this same kid later in the day... talk about forgiveness!

And, today another kid told Zoe that Santa wasn't real, and that her parents dress up as Santa every year. First of all, let me tell you that neither Kyle nor I have ever dressed up as Santa! Secondly let me explain... Zoe wholeheartedly believes in Santa, but she also knows why we celebrate Christmas, and any other holiday or traditions that we celebrate. She believes in the Tooth Fairy, she even believes in Vampires (so do I)...

Long ago before Kyle and I had kids, we decided that we would let our children have an imagination and dreams, we also promised that we would be honest with our kids as well. So when Zoe asks us where babies come from, we give her an age appropriate answer.

But back to the reason I'm posting... Why can't we teach our children tolerance?

Why can't we tell our children that no one is the same, and that people will believe things different than you, they will love, eat, dress, smile differently...this list can go on and on. I am so tired of people telling my kid that if she doesn't read the Quaran she's going to Hell, or if she wears a Halloween Costume she's going to hell... Zoe has accepted Jesus into her life, and tries very hard to follow his teachings... she doesn't lie, she's never stolen, and she's humble.

Kyle and I teach Zoe & Miles to respect and love one another, but most importantly we teach them tolerance. We know that intolerance causes harassment, assaults and ultimately hate. We want our children to embrace different cultures, explore different lands, and learn different languages. Is that so wrong???

Perhaps I'm just too liberal (I've been accused of that), or maybe I just take that whole "do unto others thing a little too serious... but I just don't think that it's my place to judge ANYONE... EVER.