Monday, June 19, 2006

Tolerance v. Acceptance

I have a new response towards anyone who accuses you of being intolerant for disapproving of religion.

The tenet of it is that there is a distinct difference between tolerance and acceptance. I am capable of tolerating the behaviors of someone who goes to church weekly. However, I can reasonably dispute this behavior, and refrain from accepting it as valid.

Ergo, most accusations of intolerance would be inaccurate, invalid, and ergo unacceptable.

And this isn't just a petty technicality-based rebuke; the concept of intolerance has been blown way out of proportion by modern culture. Most religions/irreligions tolerate each other, as plainly demonstrated by our lack of blowing-each-other-upness.

Of course, I do think intolerance is unreasonable. There is no reason why I should not be able to live or interact with someone just because of belief difference. However, un-acceptance is perfectly reasonable. Some things are just stupid.

Anyone?



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