Know as little as possible. Rely on rumor and speculation.

Ignore facts.

Utilize stereotypes.

Spread your views to others in the hopes that they, too, will learn to hate.

This is how you breed intolerance.

Intolerance is the art of ignoring any views differing from your own. It manifests itself in hatred, discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes. Once it festers in people, intolerance is nearly impossible to overcome.

But why would anyone want to be labeled “intolerant?” Why would people want to be uninformed about the world around them? Why would one want to be part of the problem in America, instead of the solution?

There are many explanations for intolerant attitudes, some dating back to childhood.

It is likely that intolerant folks grew up imitating intolerant parents, and the cycle of prejudice has simply continued for generations. Perhaps intolerant people are so set in their ways that they find it easier to ignore anything that might not conform to their limited view of life. Or, maybe intolerant students have simply never been exposed to anyone different from them.

But none of these reasons is an excuse for the intolerance to continue.

Now, intolerance should not be confused with disagreement. It is, of course, possible to disagree with an opinion without being intolerant of it. If you understand a belief but still don’t believe in that specific belief, that’s fine. You are entitled to your opinion.

In fact, knowledgeable dissenters are important for any belief. If we all believed the same things, we would never grow, and we would never learn about the world around us.

Intolerance does not stem from disagreement. It stems from fear.

And fear stems from ignorance.

When you are ignorant about homosexuality, you will distort the facts to fit your opinions. You will discount science and say things like, “Regardless of what geneticists and researchers may say when they try to link homosexuality in some way to a biological source…”

You will make up nonexistent “facts” about behaviors of homosexuals, insinuating they are all “pedophiles.”

And you will belittle an entire category of people, because ultimately, your argument consists of nothing but an irrational fear of the unknown.

To tolerate a belief or stance does not mean you share these views. In fact, the Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the verb tolerate as “to respect others’ beliefs, practices, etc. without sharing them.”

When “tolerating” others, you do disagree with them. But you disagree with them while respecting their right to their own opinion.

Intolerance isn’t about your personal beliefs that are contrary to others’; it’s about your actions toward them, and your lack of respect for their views.

It is entirely appropriate to disagree with a particular creed because of religious convictions. This is not necessarily “hiding behind the Bible.” Once again, believing different creeds is not intolerance; not respecting different creeds is intolerance. And the Bible never justifies treating anyone differently based on what they believe.

Even though intolerance is frequently a set behavior, rooted deeply in many people’s lives, there are ways to change opinions and actions.

If you know and associate with homosexuals, you are infinitely more likely to be tolerant of them. You will learn, your prejudice will cease, and no one will need to erect a Safe Zone to protect homosexuals from you.

All you need to do to avoid intolerance is to respect each person for who they are — something everyone should be doing anyway.

---

Sara Ziegler is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication from Sioux Falls, S.D. She is the opinion editor of the Daily.