"What is objectionable, what is dangerous, about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents."
Robert Francis Kennedy
2006-08-01 12:34:35 · 23 answers · asked by genaddt 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
RFK, shortly before being shot by an extremist. The irony is coming in spades.
2006-08-01 12:37:34 · answer #1 · answered by koresh419 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its true. Extremists of any sort go on and on about their topic and accuse everyone they possibly can. They are very intolerant, whether they be from any religion or an extremist of any other topic. Rock on Robert F. Kennedy.
2006-08-01 19:50:39 · answer #2 · answered by hitechmal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Words, extremists words, can only do harm if they find a mind to offend, or win over to the cause of the one uttering them.
Much like a fart is harmless if it finds no nose to offend.
BTW
Robert Kennedy wasn't very "tolerant" of views juxtaposed to his own..
2006-08-01 19:44:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a broad statement that make assumptions about a whole group. I disagree with it.
I might be biased though because I think the Kennedys were way overrated.
2006-08-01 19:39:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Intolerant
adj.
1. Unwilling to tolerate differences in opinions, practices, or beliefs, especially religious beliefs.
2. Opposed to the inclusion or participation of those different from oneself, especially those of a different racial, ethnic, or social background.
3. Unable or unwilling to endure or support: intolerant of interruptions; a community intolerant of crime.
I find that by these definitions, those using the word are more common than those that are defined by it.
2006-08-01 19:42:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The point is elusive. This is a much better quote:
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."
- Bertrand Russell
2006-08-01 19:40:35 · answer #6 · answered by Tim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that his and his brother's tragic deaths (along with the death of MLK, and RFK spoke some incredibly touching remarks in response to that tragedy http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/robertkennedyonmartinlutherking.html ), illustrate this point all too clearly.
2006-08-01 19:41:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generalisation.
2006-08-01 19:41:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This statement is absolutely true. It is not dangerous to have an extreme idea. It is dangerous to violently force others to accept that idea.
2006-08-01 19:40:06 · answer #9 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd agree with that. Conflicts don't really come from people holding different views; they come from people arrogantly insisting that theirs is the only way and everyone must conform to their view.
2006-08-01 19:43:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋