Does "tolerance" mean every opinion is equally valid or correct? Or that people's opinions must be respected?

Question

I've always thought that tolerance meant that I need to respect people's opinions. But, more and more these days, I get the feeling that if I disagree with someone's religion/lifestyle/opinion, then I'm intolerant.

What do you think tolerance means?

And what do you think about this issue?

Answer 1

If "tolerance" means that we have to treat all beliefs as equally valid, then tolerance is a bad thing, not a good thing.

As a matter of fact some beliefs are false, while others are true, and if in the name of tolerance of others I'm prohibited from pointing out the fact that their beliefs are false, then tolerance is simply enforced dishonesty.

Answer 2

Tolerance is allowing people to have their own opinions without putting them down for having such an opinion. It doesn't mean that you don't have the right to present your opinion to them in a respectful way, though. Personally, I wish more people could calmly sit together and discuss their opposite ideas without getting upset with one another. I think both people would learn alot about each other this way. If we could all learn how to listen and participate in a meaningful dialogue, we'd learn that we can relate to one another in a much better way. Much of this has to do with maturity too. People who yell and belittle those who have different views are often immature and lack self control. Opinions are neither correct nor incorrect, because they can and do change. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing that doesn't change is God. Some people would say that that's an opinion, and they'd be right. In my view, it's a fact, and I have the right to think and believe that way, based on my own experiences. In the same way, I have to allow others to believe (or not) the way they see fit, not putting them down for feeling the way they do. That's MY opinion. <*)))><

Answer 3

You are right on the money with your observation! Tolerance once meant respecting others' opinions. In the prevailing postmodern climate tolerance has come to mean that one can not openly disagree with anyone or say that another's conduct is wrong. The only real exception to the rule is that it is OK to bash Christianity and use whatever intolerant insults and ridicule one feels like as long as it is done in the name of tolerance!

Answer 4

Very good question.

And confusing terms used, both in the question and in answers given. The terms I'm referring to are : "tolerance" and "respect". Based on one dictionary's definitions, 'tolerate' means "to respect (others' beliefs, practices, etc) without sharing them". The problem arises when that same dictionary defines 'respect' as "to feel or show honor or esteem for".

Let me apply those meanings in a real situation to further clarify the difficulty. John is a very conservative Christian. As such he knows homosexuality is wrong (yes, in his opinion). Then how could he tolerate such practices if to tolerate means that he should honor and esteem homosexuality?

In my opinion, I will place 'tolerance' at or near the lower rung of a ladder that represents the affective domain (said ladder looking something as - from highest to lowest -

Total approval and participation

Approval but non-participant

Respect

Tolerance

Active opposition .)

Answer 5

I think tolerance is respecting others views..and no that does not mean we have to agree with them or sit back and say nothing. But..we can speak in a right and proper way and then agree to disagree. Intolerance is when people resort to putting the person down as a lesser being because of their beliefs. Humiliation, name calling etc are all used by people who are intolerant. They think they are smart when they do it. I think intolerance is disgusting..the world is filled with it..that's why there are wars and shootings etc..people cannot stand others making mistakes or having the right to believe differently etc.

Answer 6

In this politically-correct world, "tolerance" is liberal code-speak for "anything goes, except traditional values."

The "tolerant" expect you to not only accept any deviancy that comes along, but embrace it as well.

Another example is in faith matters. Tolerance (these days) indeed means that all viewpoints are valid. People will get their hackles up when Christians say that Jesus is the only way to the Father. They will choke when you dare say that. After all, don't all religions lead to God?

They forget that there are standards of right and wrong, true and false. But when it comes to their viewpoint, they expect, no...even demand, that you say their viewpoint is equally valid.

It is not enough in their mind that you agree to disagree. If you do that, you are saying that they are somehow "wrong." That is the one thing that they won't tolerate.

Answer 7

It means regardless of what you think of someone else's beliefs, you should respect them, bear in mind that they have held them as deeply and sincerely as you do, have as much right to thier own beliefs as you do, and not push your beliefs on someone else. I am not sure exactly where the line is between expressing a different opinion, or being intolerant is, though, I guess it would be about things like whether you have offered an opinion you weren't asked for, or if you are being insulting about offering it, and calling someone names for believing otherwise, and things like that. It is something we would all benefit from taking the time to reflect on and be mindful of around here.... As long as someone isn't doing anything to harm or insult you, you should leave them alone....

Answer 8

I think that being tolerant means that you respect those ideas that do not do harm to anyone else, even if you don't agree or believe it yourself. I think that it is silly to think that we are supposed to be tolerant of everything. I believe at some point people need to start being intolerant of stupid behavior and things that are dangerous to our society. It seems no one wants to be the bad guy by offending any one else. That is not possible, and we are allowing people to do anything they please, no matter how sick. Tolerant shouldn't stand for blind stupidity.

Answer 9

Webster's Dictionary states that "tolerance" is sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own. That you should have. But it does not mean that every opinion is valid or correct.

Answer 10

We TOLERATE other people's opinions (as in the religious ones). If we didn't tolerate them we would make them illegal, and whip them if they opened a Bible (just as they do in the Muslim countries).

Toleration is different from just laughing at them. If they want to have "faith" in something, that's up to them. Personally I have "faith" that one day I will be able to open a sardine can using just a banana skin. Who are you to tell me that my "faith" is unfounded?