"Cry tolerance" seems to be a child-like emotion, but it is more a bullying tactic in modern times. Tolerance implies equal consideration of an issue, or idea, from opposite viewpoints. More often it is the bullying of an established more from an non-standard, non-accepted idea. Appealing to the sensitivities of the masses, the non-standard proponents try to guilt those of the accepted mores to open up to the non-standard idea. The tolerance.org website uses the UNESCO definition of tolerance: Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. Tolerance is harmony in difference.
I would submit that they have it half-correct. Yes, tolerance is respect, but it is not acceptance. Acceptance has put away tolerance and embraced the idea. We can appreciate the diversity of all cultures, but we don't have to accept the garbage and the errors of those cultures. As creatures of freedom, we are free to choose what we feel is acceptable from all ideas. We don't have to feel that we are bullied into accepting an idea that is different, simply because it is different!
Tolerance is declared almost as much as a plea for mercy. It is interesting to see that those appealing for tolerance are usually appealing for a change in law, or a change in the time-tested norms of society. Societal tolerance and societal change seem to go hand-in-hand. A practice, or a principle first is tolerated, then becomes accepted, then integrated into the norms of society. As there are always opposing sides, opinions, etc., one side always becomes the loser, when change occurs. The time for attention is when tolerance starts to appear, because once the change occurs, tolerance has already lost
Tolerance IS difference! There is no harmony there. It is an intellectual stalemate. You don't have to give up your stand and I don't have to give up mine. We agree to disagree. Is there any question on how you believe something, if you believe it is true? Does the truth give into error? Then where does tolerance lose its ground? When it accepts a lesser standard and degrades itself and its integrity......but this is only a tolerant observation.
