The leaders of the political religious right frequently criticize pro-tolerance advocacy:
- They protest that tolerance advocates are not tolerant of intolerance.
- They assert that it is a sin to tolerate (much less affirm) that which religious rightists selectively declare to be sinful.
- They demand both affirmation and political power for their own sins.
Quite simply, the religious right has sought to redefine tolerance:
Tolerance = Tolerance of Intolerance + Intolerance of Tolerance
This is the new form of tolerance that they insist be taught in schools and in the media.
Discuss.
Ryan Dobson, author of Be Intolerant and son of James, is a big member of this promotion of intolerance.
You hit the nail on the head Mike.
They create a situation that is intolerable, and then cry ‘Hypocrisy!’ when it is not tolerated.
It occurred to me today that for all the “we just want all sides to be heard” coming especially from the Ex-gay camps, that they would never extend that same courtesy to us, and at the same time shamelessly and openly fight to ensure our side is not heard.
They’re convinced that they are the only side that is right, yet they “want all sides to be heard?” For all the accusations like child molestation they levy against us, since when is it ethical or Christian for that matter, to offer child molesters equal time?
Even their hypocrisy is hypocritical!
I’ve encountered this anomaly time and time again. I argue that in our society we must be tolerant of those whose religious beliefs (or lack of such) differ from our own, and, as such, it is improper to legislate against homosexuality on the basis of a particular set of religious beliefs. The fundamentalist Christian on the other side of the discussion then states that attempting to compel him/her not to force his/her religious beliefs upon me by way of legislation against homosexuality is, itself, intolerant, since his/her religious beliefs mandate that s/he thrust them upon surrounding society.
Where is that banging-my-head-against-the-wall smiley?
I’m reminded of the line from the end of Return of the Living Dead: “If you loved me you’d let me eat your brain”.
Tolerance is a system in which both parties agree to allow the other to exist. It is not “tolerant” to insist on imposing your position on the other, especially if your position requires that the other not exist.
Anti-gay forces wish that the gay community not exist and that all same-sex attracted people become ex-gay. While I can tolerate their wishing this, they cannot demand that I tolerate their INSISTING on this or LEGISLATING this.
I wish that they would rethink their theology and champion freedom and equality for all. But I cannot insist or legislate that they do so.
You cannot demand tolerance for force.
“You cannot demand tolerance for force.”
You got it, Timothy. The bottom line.