LETTER: Tolerance is the new intolerance
November 16, 2004
Tolerance in today’s society is understood as being accepting of any and all views. God forbid that you assert your own opinions that might disagree with anyone else’s. People are so afraid of being labeled as “intolerant” that they will go to great lengths to avoid stating their personal convictions. And, if by some chance we do offend someone, we spend most of our remaining time with that person apologizing for what we believe.
American society says we should be able to do whatever we want because “it’s OK with me.” Everything may be permissible, but not everything is beneficial. What ever happened to standing up for what you believe in? Instead, we hide behind the facade of tolerance and watch our views and beliefs get trampled on. At least you were not perceived as intolerant — you were not even noticed at all.
By today’s practiced definition of tolerance, it’s often impossible to stand up for what you believe and still be considered tolerant, unless you truly believe in absolutely everything — in essence, absolutely nothing. Tolerance is recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others; respect and love despite disagreement. It is also defending someone else’s right to argue the merits of their position, even when this position is contradictory to your own.
For example, if your best friend smokes, you can completely disagree with that behavior but still love and respect your friend at the same time. You need not shun him, even though you hold his actions to be just plain wrong. These same principles of thought can be applied to (a)theism, sexual orientation or other issues.
Is it possible to not agree with another people’s lifestyles or world views but still hang out with them, respect their ideas and love them? The answer is yes. Tolerance should not be misconstrued to mean accepting all beliefs as equally right, but rather allowing others to have ideas of their own. Whether you agree or disagree is irrelevant.
Matthew Hight
Sophomore
Psychology