Tolerance in a Modern World

On another post (www.abovetopsecret.com...) the difference between creationism, a so-called Fundamentalist Christian teaching, and creation a Biblical teaching, were differentiated, and it was brought to the attention of the reader that it appears a conspiracy has transpired among many Bible bashers. Finding it convenient to clump together anyone that believes in the Bible with these right-wing religious extremists, they are doing quite the same thing their so-called counterparts do. Both groups are extreme in their thinking, and being close-minded, they allow no room for differing views from what their narrow-minded understanding of the world is.

A quick cursory glance through some of the comments made to that post will bear out this fact. Such as one who said that the word yohm for day from Hebrew cannot be translated any other way except for a literal day in the Genesis account. While there is no proof of this, and much proof to the contrary, the holder of this idea was so dogmatic about it, he refused to reason, or go any further. And another poster who called your servant a couple of derogatory names for pointing out the differences between Creationism and the Biblical account of creation, and basically went on to repeat what I said, agreeing with me.
It has become apparent to me, that the two mind-sets are so similar, that only the differing views of whether there is a God or not separate them. While the one is dogmatic on its view that the Bible must be taken literally, so those who have taken fully part in the creationist bashing, allow no room for differing views of the Bible either. They are both extreme in their thinking, and are usually noted for their brash, haughty, rude, and arrogant behavior that exudes towards anyone not agreeing with their viewpoints.
This is not to say that this extremist, close-minded view is restricted to them. It has become apparent to this observer that this mind-set is actually part of the makeup of a large majority of mankind, and one can see it in almost any religious or irreligious group on earth. It has more to do with arrogance, and an ‘I can’t be wrong’ attitude than with what the person actually believes.
It has also been my experience that the more a person is learned of a subject the more tolerant and broad-minded he becomes. That is the more experienced and wise a person, the more understanding, patient, and tolerant he is of others and their beliefs. And a truly wise person comes to the conclusion that most of us are wrong about most of the things most of the time. That is one of the reasons we have so many problems on this earth.
To be tolerant one needs humility. That is one needs to be able to lower himself and view others as superior to himself. And one needs to be teachable. In fact it is usually the person that thinks he knows it all who knows least. And it is usually hardest to reason or argue with the most ignorant; no matter how educated they appear, for they assume they already know more than everyone else. Thus since they know it all, they cannot learn. Since they do not learn, they remain in ignorance, whilst assuming they are enlightened, they look down upon others with differing views.
It is usually the open mind who understands the more it takes in, that the less it understands. And the more it takes in knowledge, the more it realizes that it doesn’t know. This is the one that is guided, not on the basis of proud arrogance, or narrow-minded upbringing. But it is noble in its thinking, broad in its grasp of things. Tolerant in its approach to that which may be different from itself.
I actually started this thread off to post on another subject that I find quite interesting, but turned this into a rant. So will have to go and make another thread about that subject.

The defintion of tolerance:
Date: 15th century
1 : capacity to endure pain or hardship : endurance, fortitude, stamina
2 a : sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own b : the act of allowing something : toleration
3 : the allowable deviation from a standard; especially : the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece
4 a (1) : the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (as a drug) or a physiological insult especially with repeated use or exposure ; also : the immunological state marked by unresponsiveness to a specific antigen (2) : relative capacity of an organism to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor b : the maximum amount of a pesticide residue that may lawfully remain on or in food


The problem with "tolerant" people is that they TOLERATE.....It is not the embracing and wholesale "letting go" of one's paradigm.

Tolerance WILL NOT WORK! It is a skin deep token reaction that breeds contempt and the inevitable backlash.

To me, tolerance is the reason racism and hatred still exists in the world. Being tolerant means that you are apathetic. Evil persists when good men do nothing!

[edit on 8-7-2010 by bismarcksea]

reply to post by bismarcksea


Interesting observation. I see where you are coming from, but have always viewed it quite differently.

I found this definition in Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary that says: "if you are tolerant, you allow other people to have their own attitudes or beliefs, or to behave in a particular way, even if you do not agree or approve."

I believe this is a noble way to behave. The opposite of tolerance is of course intolerance, and that breeds bigotry and hatred. Narrow-mindedness chokes out new ideas, and stifles the mind. Narrow-mindedness tries to make everything conform to its narrow way of thinking and nonconformists become victims.

Of course extreme tolerance of everything is wrong, balance is needed. For example it would be totally inappropriate for a society to be completely tolerant of say pornography. If that was the case pics of even little children would be available with no condemnation by the people or the government. So obviously there are certain things which just cannot be tolerated, because of moral values and to prevent society as a whole from decaying.

On the other extreme of narrow-mindedness is apathy. And I believe that is what you were referring to. And I agree that is a very destruction form of behavior, and many display it as well. Because of apathy, a 'couldn't-care-less' attitude, many people are ignoring the problems that we are facing in the world. And that is a problem.

Thank you for your thoughts.

I have always believed that we need to have a certain amount of tolerance for peoples' different beliefs. What a weird sentence that just was

Anyhow, none of us have the real answers, and hopefully all will be answered when we are done/dead/passed on/moved on/in the afterlife.......

Until then, all arguments about religious beliefs, creationism, evolution, panspermia, or however we actually came to be, are quite useless. Each theory still has some holes in it somewhere. Missing links here and there. We are still looking for more information. Except those that have been totally proven by science, like for one, that Earth is way more than 6000 years old.

id consider myslef a fairly tolerant person based on the fact im more than happy for people to believe what ever they want to believe.

But when it comes to religion i can loose my tolerance pretty quickly particulary with people who try and tell me why they beleive in the christian bible. Maybe its something to do with a lack of education or critical thinking on there part, i dont know.

Infact to be honest i dont realy think people, especialy religious fanatics should be protected by tolerance, kind off convienent religion stresses tolerance so much, whats up with that?, some sort of self defence technique?. They should basicaly be exposed and persecuted, routed out from society as efficiently as possible for the dangerous fanatics they are.

Its good to be tolerant, UP TO A MIGHT, but some people and groups of people basiclay do not deserve it and should not be protected by it.

reply to post by Calender

While the one is dogmatic on its view that the Bible must be taken literally, so those who have taken fully part in the creationist bashing, allow no room for differing views of the Bible either.

I have no problem trying to take the Bible figuratively or poetically but when I debate Creationists I assume they are taking Creation literally because, you know, they are CREATIONists. That doesn't mean all Bible believers think that way though, just the minority who take the Bible as the literal Word of God and reject evolution and most other forms of science that contradict their beliefs.

I can tolerate ordinary Christians just fine but Creationists, I have neither tolerance nor respect for their views. I still respect them as people because most are just indoctrinated and fed lies but their views truly are deserving of ridicule just like if someone still believed lightning bolts were formed by Zeus or that the Earth was flat.

And the more it takes in knowledge, the more it realizes that it doesn’t know.

Doesn't know what exactly? I have no problem admitting the human race is far from knowing everything and that our understanding on some subjects, even within evolutionary theory, is lacking ... but we know plenty to say that Creationists are dead wrong about darn near everything.