I saw an interesting piece on the International History Channel the other day about how in ancient Italy (a particular city near Rome, specifically, the name of which eludes me) the various religions lived side by side harmoniously for centuries, sharing a common virtue of tolerance. But when the Christians arrived, preaching not only a new brand monotheism but moral singularity, the other religions accommodated the unpleasant eccentricity in following with their traditional ways of tolerance. Over time, of course, the message of exclusion pervaded the society and the quiet position of accommodation was strangled out by abstract notions of morality.
In an unrelated story I heard on the radio, a doctor who performs abortions said he personally doesn't agree with them but that his position is people should have the choice. (the idea that someone can do something they oppose is lost on most people, but that's not the point) He mentioned that there's been a lot of ruckus about pro-life and killing babies and all that, but the people who simply support people's right to choose often aren't as outspoken because they feel that people have a right to not want an abortion - that's part of the "choice" part. However, people that are opposed to abortion rights are not willing to accept that some people are willing to grant the right for it to be a choice.
It's an interesting similarity, if not entirely parallel.
In an unrelated story I heard on the radio, a doctor who performs abortions said he personally doesn't agree with them but that his position is people should have the choice. (the idea that someone can do something they oppose is lost on most people, but that's not the point) He mentioned that there's been a lot of ruckus about pro-life and killing babies and all that, but the people who simply support people's right to choose often aren't as outspoken because they feel that people have a right to not want an abortion - that's part of the "choice" part. However, people that are opposed to abortion rights are not willing to accept that some people are willing to grant the right for it to be a choice.
It's an interesting similarity, if not entirely parallel.
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