Silenced by Tolerance

[kimana83]

I've been meaning to post this for months (which you will notice, because it references April 25 as upcoming), but kept forgetting or losing it in my inbox. When I read this article (from Focus on the Family magazine) I kept thinking, "Wow, yep, uh-huh." I don't agree with every single thing FotF or its representatives say or do, but on this I

Comments

[kimana83]

Really? That's cool. It is an unpopular message these days (I bet Joel O'Steen hasn't preached a message this politically incorrect in his entire life), but it is the truth. Tolerance does not mean all beliefs are equally valid. That's a totally new concept. I think the problem for me isn't accepting people though, it's being bold enough, and loving them enough, to tell them the truth even when they may stop being my friend if I do.

[craneke]

Excellent points, Charity, and excellent article, Bethany. I don't always read articles that people post either, but this was definitely a keeper.

In this incredibly postmodern society, the idea of tolerance meaning that you can't firmly believe something different is completely paradoxical. It is so absurd to think that you are required expected to be "tolerant" of others' postmodern/existential viewpoints, but when you believe that you should be allowed to actually have some kind of definite opinion. Even if a POMO agrees with your belief or statement, they might say "but it's not that way for everyone, so you can't say that... the POMO idea of tolerance (tolerating your being allowed to HAVE an opinion on the issue) ends.

[kimana83]

Yes, this was a keeper. I read it at church when the FotF mag came in the mail, and promptly emailed myself the link for it online. And then kept it in my inbox for 5 months. Hehe.

Exactly! It's ridiculous. I don't know how we got to this point. It reminds me of the title of a book I read once: "Be Intolerant, because Some Things are Just Stupid". Best book title ever.

[kimana83]

It's not that we think we are better, just that we have more insightful opinions due to our religious understanding.
I've never thought of it that way before. That's a really good point. And yes, it does sound arrogant, but it's true.

I'm glad the person you are speaking the truth to in love is responding well to you. That makes things SO much easier. I tend to get defensive initially, but in a short time I usually see the person's point and, even if I still disagree with them, I respect them for being kind enough to tell me their feelings.