Has two contrasting meanings in U.S. politics: (1) respecting the right of others to hold differing beliefs; (2) accepting views that differ from one’s own. As a value which supports our First Amendment rights of freedom of religion, freedom of press and freedom of speech, the civic virtue of tolerance requires us to grant to others the same rights we claim for ourselves. Each person is permitted to hold and espouse unique or minority views which may be obnoxious to others. “I may not believe in what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” This sharply contrasts with the idea that we must respect, accept or agree with views we despise. For example, an employee of a company should not be required to attend a sensitivity training session and declare in front of other employees that he has no objections to homosexuality.
Many social reformers deliberately blur the distinction between the two types of tolerance and promote the usage of tolerance as a synonym for “approval”. The idea that “tolerance” implies accepting views that differ from one’s own is anathema to U.S. tradition and is often used in the context of forbidding those with traditional religious views to express their disapproval of minority opinions. It turns the concept of tolerance on its head: it is intolerance in the name of tolerance.
One of the definitions of tolerance is “The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.” A better definition is “respecting the right of others to hold differing beliefs”. The concept of tolerance often applies to areas of politics, cultural differences, or religious practices. Americans believe in free speech, but to be tolerant you should respect other people’s beliefs. You can still disagree with someone’s beliefs or practices.
All religions and their traditions deserve to be examined, but there is a difference between critique and slander. And certainly there is a difference between insightful observations and naive comments.”
Some people pay lip service to the concept of tolerance, demanding it for themselves while denying it to others. A Hollywood conservative complained once to Larry Elder that
- “The tolerant people who love everybody will destroy you if you disagree with them. It’s ridiculous and scary, but it’s real, and I doubt most people outside of LA would believe to what extent. You could be a criminal or an illegal alien or a Palestinian terrorist, and they would leap to your defense and support your rights. But g-d forbid you’re a Republican or a Trump supporter. You’re the enemy, and they’re blatantly against you and proud of it.”
