Agree/disagree: We must tolerate the intolerant who want their intolerance tolerated by the tolerant?

Question

Er, I think.

Answer 1

Actually understand your questions.

NO.

I do not tolerate stupidity, and neither should anyone else.

When it comes to creationism, muslim law (forgot name), or anything else that promotes negative things, squelch it.

Answer 2

Intellectual and even verbal intolerance, at least to a degree, are tolerable - it's when things get physical that intervention becomes necessary. That said, doing and saying nothing about intolerance including mine =0) can create a climate for escalating to worse things. The thing to decide is at what level do we think something has moved from irritating to dangerous? Atheists rightly view certain supposed "Christian" views as dangerous and Christians rightly view certain atheist views as dangerous. (Not that those are the only debates going).

Remember all those "good" Germans who said and did nothing while Hitler assumed power?

Tom

Answer 3

It depends on your definition of "tolerance" and "intolerance." I think we ought to tolerate exclusive religious beliefs in people - even if we disagree, because it is their right to believe that their religion is right! And theoretically, they could be right. But exclusivism is not the same as intolerance (although some seem to think so). We should not tolerate bigotry, racism, or hatred.

Answer 4

Hey, intolerant people need love, too. ;o)

I guess it's a matter of degrees and actions. Intolerance is different things to different people. Some people think that any form of disagreeing with their point of view is intolerance. That's tough to remedy.

I believe homosexual acts are a sin, and as such, I cannot encourage them. To some that would be seen as intolerance.

However, I don't see their sin as somehow worse than mine, I don't hate/discredit someone for their sexual orientation, I'm not opposed to homosexual people having rights, having civil unions (as long as they don't change the definition of marriage to do it), and I would emotionally and physically come to the aid of a homosexual person being bashed or threatened.

To some, that is not enough, and I am seen as intolerant. And as such, they become intolerant of me (hateful or biased). They think I should change my beliefs. The problem I have with that is that I have a right to my beliefs, I'm not using my beliefs to infringe upon the rights of another, and going against my beliefs would violate my conscience.

I wouldn't ask someone else to violate their conscience unless what they were doing actively hurt or infringed upon the rights of someone else.

Some people who are viciously intolerant are just ignorant and need to be gently educated. If someone is entrenched in a belief (racism, for instance), they will not be persuaded to change their beliefs by force, or even by shame. But they may be softly persuaded by positive interactions with those they are biased against.

I think that is the purpose and object of Jesus' teaching to turn the other cheek. He was speaking to His followers about how to react to those who would oppose Christianity. He taught that meekness (power under control) would persuade others, not opposition, not cowering, but self-control and steadfastness in the face of discrimination.

I wish more people understood that concept.

There's a saying, "When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the fire department uses water."

I believe intolerance is rooted in fear, so I don't believe intolerance ever cures intolerance. I do believe that it is possible to be intolerant (in a positive sense) of certain behaviors without being intolerant of people - even the people who comitt the behaviors.

Answer 5

I think we must be tolerant of everyone..that does not mean we have to agree or disagree...it just means we show people the respect that we ourselves desire. We can choose to discuss with people or not discuss..we can choose to mix with others who believe differently or not..but we do not have the right to treat others badly..

Answer 6

that's one of the problems of democracy. Do you allow parties that want to destroy democracy? Do you tolerate those who want to deprive you of tolerance? Are you willing to sacrifice a bit of toleration to allow a certain amount?

so I guess I mostly agree but not entirely. I think a constitution that guarantees freedom might need to be protected against those who would destroy it.

Answer 7

It depends on how that intolerance manifests itself I guess. If it means violence or discrimination, then no. If it means people being able to have another opinion where you can reason with them, then yes, they should be tolerated.

Answer 8

Nope by intolerating the intolerant you end up in an infinite circle

Answer 9

You totally lost me.
Anyway, intolerant people deserve no tolerance.

Answer 10

agree! tolerant people tolerate all, especially those who are not tolerant of teolerance or tolerant people.

besides, tolerance is just a word for "accept everything, don't ask why". be skeptical sometimes!

Answer 11

then who will disciple the intolerance if no one come to say nothing about intolerance people