What do you think of this quote about tolerance?

Question

Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd. - Bertrand Russell -

Answer 1

but who constitutes herd, and who is outsider? In a herd species, this is clear; as any species not of the herd is an outsider. And are we a herding species like bovines? Also also, does the herd mentality promote ferocity towards non-herd, or a flight reaction? Does a herd fight?

We, we subdivide our species in arbitrary subgroups.

Answer 2

Fear is definitely a low emotional response that can be created in people to manipulate them into certain predictable responses.
But people are not animals, despite what "modern" psychology would like us to believe.
Certainly tolerance is not the reponse of someone who is afraid.
Religion isn't the only area where fear and ignorance causes intolerance.
There is a reason why the area of religion is the number one target in any civilization. You only experience fear or fight back
when you feel that you or your group are under attack.

Consider this:
"A society is capable of surviving for thousands of years unless it is attacked from within or without by hostile forces. where such an attack occurs, the primary targets are it's religious and national gods and heroes,it's potential of leadership and the self respect and integrity of it's members.
If you look around you , you will find countless examples of these points. They scream at us every day from the newspapers and TV.
Probably the most critical point of attack on a culture is it's religious experience. Where one can destroy or undermine religious institutions then the entire fabiric of the society can be quickly subverted or brought to ruin.
For the last hundred years or so religion has been beset with relentless attack. You have been told it’s the “opiate of the masses “, that it’s unscientific, that it is primitive, in short , that it is a delusion.
The source of this kind of attack is always covert and hidden. It is promoted by a few who have a vested interest in a slave society.
Unfortunately these few rely on creating fear and insecurity in others
to forward and promote their enemy propaganda. These others feel correctly they have to defend themselves from an attack, but because the real enemy is hidden, they can be manipulated to attack what they really should be defending as they cannot see the real enemy.

The key here is that underneath all these attacks on organized religion there is one fundemental target:
The spirituality of man, your own basic spiritual nature, self respect and peace of mind." - L.Ron Hubbard -

Answer 3

Bertrand Russell was a REPROBATE to the Christian faith, btw.

Even still, I have to agree with this quote; to be honest- even though B. Russell was quite the damage to the faith for those who did not know thier scriptures, and for those who were not already saved.

SO......"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd"..........I probably am seeing this in a whole different light than many will. I see it in the worldwide acceptance of a New World Order, in the ideal of the 'police state' and in the overall taking in of the RFID chip, otherwise known as "HUMAN TRACKING". There will be a growing stigma against those who do not accept this a the norm. Those who deny this tecnology will be viewed as "having something to hide", or as old school and out of the loop. *(check out my 360 blog; entitled "All they need is a generation")*
Whether or not people will accept it as truth, there is a growing concern among so many Americans that the USA is becoming a police state; and as more and more 'patsies' are paraded about as TERRORISTIC ACTS...that's all the more ignorant people become to the very FACT that they are "running like the rest of the masses~Project86" and just giving up their freedom and liberty in the name of a grande LIE; that very lie is nothing but our powers that be (gov.) and that ever-tightening grip on knowing and controlling EVERY detail of our lives.

This Russell quote works well with such a train of thought. I did not equate it to anything regarding religion or spirituality. Bc' anyone who quotes Bertrand Russell probably agrees that Christianity or ANY organized religion is just one big hoax that has been ODDLY successful in keeping the "herds" under submission thru FEAR FACTORS. This is BS in my belief; as a Christian....I will only speak for TRUE AND REAL CHRISTIANITY: JESUS CHRIST is about LOVE, and not FEAR. Among many teachings on love- HE said that "PERFECT love casts out fear" and that we are to love our enemies. NOW, if all Christians were standing united by a correct theology- a correct doctrine....then there would be OBEDIENCE to HIS command for unity, and there would be a world of love and forgiveness....but much to the oppsite, we have a long history of believers who do just the opposite: Someone bruises our ego or our emotion, and we REACT according to the FLESH, and not in the AUTHORITY of what we are ENTITLED TO IN CHRIST, and that is the over all RIGHT to oppress, subdue and put into complete oblivion the SIN WHICH SO EASILY BESETS US! Then, we also have masses of Christians who want their "feel good" sermons spit into their itching ears, who only want what is RIGHTLY been coined :"Cafeteria Christianity/ or Buffet Christianity" where the follower of Christ "picks and chooses" out of the innerrant Word of GOD that which he agrees with according to the law of the flesh, and not of the spirit which is renewed, regenerated and daily transformed by correct fellowship and devotion to the LORD GOD OMNISCIENT, who called us unto FREEDOM, to not be servants of our sinful setbacks, but to WHIP them into shape, and drop kick them out the doors of our heart, mind and lives ALTOGETHER.

Good question.
Do please forgive me-
I may have not given u the answer you
were seeking?

God Bless anyhow!
7SeVeN7

Answer 4

Sounds about right.

But Bertrand Russell forgot to mention one thing.

Humans are naturally herd animals anyway and look for ways to be in groups and look at the world through the eyes and beliefs of that group.

Unless theyre taught better.

Answer 5

I think it is accurate.

Those of true assurance and constancy of self suffer not from this, while those which claim to have these attributes, but act in such a herd manner are in the midst of lying, heedlessly, as ignorant, and unguided sheep, no matter their claims to a shepherd.

Answer 6

The safest spot is in the middle of the herd. That way you're the last to die.

No wonder new ideas take so long.

Answer 7

That's true. Unfortunately there is a such thing as herd conformity.

Answer 8

Quote:"I dont think this quote shows tolerance at all, lol."

I also feel Mr.Russel wants to condemn the superstition and "Sheepish" attitude of people

Answer 9

alligators eat the herds crossing. over watch and learn

Answer 10

Yes that is what is happening to the poor Muslims now my God protect them. God bless the Christian page and keep it Holy. Amen.