Huckleberries Online

IHO: New Tolerance Definition Lacking

May 9, 2009 6:10 a.m. • 17 comments

It seems more and more, we are using a new definition of tolerance. Whereas the old statement of tolerance was, “I disagree with you, but I respect your right to voice your opinion,” the new statement of tolerance is, “All viewpoints are equally valid, and all beliefs are equally true.” There are at least two problems with this new definition. One is that it is much less noble. If everybody is right, and you agree with them all, then what is admirable about accepting their views? There is nothing special about tolerating opinions with which you agree — who wouldn’t? More than that, it allows real intolerance to arise, because anybody who doesn’t agree with the new definition of tolerance can be silenced on the charge of intolerance/Benjamin Ledford, UI Argonaut. More here.

Question: What is your definition of tolerance?

17 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

LukeB on May 09 at 6:54 a.m.
Live and let live is my definition.

Here’s a concrete example - I personally consider bringing up a child in any sort of religion to be brainwashing because children do not have the mental facilities to comprehend what is being done to them - they (usually) idolize their parents and thus follow along in their belief system. Parents or religious organizations who threaten children with “eternal damnation for their sins” are walking a fine line around child abuse, in my opinion.

However, I would never consider ‘banning’ religious indoctrination of children, because I would not want similar legislation of raising my own children. I will tell people exactly what I think and some consider that ‘intolerant’ but fail to see the difference between voicing opinions about how other people should live and actually legislating them.
misc on May 09 at 8:05 a.m.
Who says all beliefs are equally valid?

Straw man arguments need to be subtle in order to be effective.
BethB on May 09 at 9:34 a.m.
Beliefs come with emotions, and I get it that my perspective is not something that everyone wants to have, or could tolerate for themselves. I get it that people are buying guns and bullets because they fear “Obama might” x, y, z, and so I think, well, so buy your bullets if it makes you feel better (and then, in a year, or two years, or ten years, when you realize Obama did nothing that you feared he would, you can reflect back and come to that realization on your own).

I feel the same way about organized religion. It’s not really for me, but I know it’s important to a lot of people - it is their best way of connecting to God, of having a form of spirituality. So I support it, even though I don’t want it for myself.

Tolerance doesn’t mean I agree with you - it means that I have the ability to have compassion, and space, for a different point of view than my own.

The one thing I haven’t figured out how to tolerate is misinformation. Which is why, sometimes, my posts get a little long!!! I mean, have your opinion, your belief, based on accurate information (to the extent that information forms any part of the basis of your belief). That’s my biggest - um - requirement? Desire? Wish? for others.
spokelooneh on May 09 at 11:00 a.m.
Ahhh, I see Benjamin is still working very hard on his degree in Logical Fallacy. Good luck with that.

When Benjamin mentions “lifestyles” he doesn’t approve of, we all know what he means. Gay relationships, especially marriage, for which Benjamin fully supports the State denying equal civil rights to gay people, because Benjamin, and many like him, are personally uncomfortable and intolerant of such.
Charlie on May 09 at 2:07 p.m.
The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

In other words, I will listen and comment on your views and you have the same opportunity with mine. We may never agree but we can discuss them. There are certain views I will not waiver on and you will know that at the start of the discussion.
Escapee on May 09 at 2:35 p.m.
Tolerance, to me, is not approval. It’s tolerance. In other words, everyone deserves respect, no matter what their views. That doesn’t mean you have to approve their outlook, what they look like, etc. It means that you’re showing a person the same respect you deserve. Tolerance involves taking the feelings of others into consideration, thusly you treat a person like you would wanted to be treated.
hhuseland on May 09 at 7:01 p.m.
Tolerance, in my view, is to allow opinions that differ from yours, without rancorous comments or personal attacks, such as stick a stick up your A**, which someone suggested to me recently. THAT obviously wasn’t tolerant, though from a person that suggests he is very tolerant. apparently that only applies to liberals and people that march to that drummer. That, in and of itself, suggests that people that bellow out tolerance, don’t have tolerance in mind at all. Only what they perceive as kowtowing to their particular brand of tolerance.
Liz on May 09 at 10:43 p.m.
mmm hmmm…I have also noticed that a lot of the most intolerant people out there are the very ones that talk about “tolerance” as the most supreme virtue.
Arch_Druid on May 11 at 8:47 a.m.
My views on tolerance? Try the first amendment.

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About this blog

D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.