For me, culture is all about deeper meaning — being to look past superficialities and stereotypes to the essence, the real nature of the thing.
It seems to me that cultural differences only become a problem if we stick with our perception of others' beliefs or values or cultural practices. For example, my perspective on a certain cultural rite or ritual might initially lead me to believe that a particular culture is out of touch or behind the times. Or even if I don't pass judgment on it specifically, I might not have much of an appreciation for that cultural practice.
That's where understanding, and a desire to get at the underlying idea, comes in. In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy called this way of thinking resolving "things into thoughts," or, exchanging "the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul." Science and Health, p. 269. As we do this, we're able to draw out, or at the very least become aware of, the very best parts, the richness, of culture.
