What IS intolerance, anyway?

[impressive]

I mean, does believing some others' views to be based on ignorance or downright stupidity make one intolerant? Personally, I don't think so. It must take more than that.

So, perhaps, does voicing that belief tip one into the "intolerant" category?

Well, if that's the case, then anyone who's ever disagreed with someone else -- and said so aloud -- is intolerant. Hrm. That's damned near everyone. That doesn't sound right, either.

So, what does it really take to earn the "intolerant" label? Do you have to ACT against another person/party? Cause them harm?

Inquiring minds want to know.

What's it mean to YOU?

 

[neonlyte]

I mean, does believing some others' views to be based on ignorance or downright stupidity make one intolerant? Personally, I don't think so. It must take more than that.

So, perhaps, does voicing that belief tip one into the "intolerant" category?

Well, if that's the case, then anyone who's ever disagreed with someone else -- and said so aloud -- is intolerant. Hrm. That's damned near everyone. That doesn't sound right, either.

So, what does it really take to earn the "intolerant" label? Do you have to ACT against another person/party? Cause them harm?

Inquiring minds want to know.

What's it mean to YOU?

My intolerence surfaces, for example, with people who buy cars that don't have direction indicators... I mean, for Christ sake... what does it cost to show fellow drivers where you are going?

I tend to lean on the horn

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Oh, fuck off!

 

[dr_mabeuse]

No. Intolerance is just what it says: you can't tolerate people having ideas and opinions different from yours. You're always out to proselytize and convert them.

 

[epiphany65]

To me, it means to live by the "Live and let live" motto. Someone, for example, may believe that homosexuality is wrong, but be tolerant enough to not want harm done to those who practice it, or not even vocalize their opposition to it. Still, I don't think intolerance is necessarily always bad. Decent people are intolerant of sex offenders, murders, etc. . It all depends on which way one's moral compass points.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Everyone is intolerant because everyone has values. Some things shouldnt be tolerated. Some things arent okay. Would you tolerate Nazis?

The trick is to have good values. Dont fuck with someone unless you have to. Fuck with people for the right reason.

 

[Belegon]

Intolerance is a refusal to acknowledge that one's own ways and beliefs are not correct for everyone and a determination to force change and/or cause problems for those that believe differently.

There is a fluid line there, and I realize that. What one person considers stating their own opinion can easily be taken by another as trying to cause problems.

The "live and let live" argument is a good shorthand.

For example, if someone believes with all their heart and expresses that avocado's are the grossest food on earth, that is opinion, not intolerance. Even if they actively tell others how gross that green stuff is.

If they picket the taco shop, they are straddling the line.

If they try to introduce legislation making it illegal to serve guacamole, they are being intolerant.

 

[Saucy_Sage]

At the root of intolerance is a belief, not that opinions contrary to one's own are wrong, but that those views are illegitimate. The truly intolerant extend that belief to associations, affiliations, skin colors, creeds, preferences, and personal habits, to name just a few.

 

[Safe_Bet]

To me, it means to live by the "Live and let live" motto. Someone, for example, may believe that homosexuality is wrong, but be tolerant enough to not want harm done to those who practice it, or not even vocalize their opposition to it. Still, I don't think intolerance is necessarily always bad. Decent people are intolerant of sex offenders, murders, etc. . It all depends on which way one's moral compass points.

I think you are on the right track, but it goes farther.

California Prop 8 is a perfect example of intolerance. It represents "we don't like you so you can't have the same thing we have".

This is regardless of the fact that we both have loving, stable relationships, that children's welfare is involved or whether we have all of the other things that the "moral values" people have.

"They" are against gay and lesbian marriage because they simply are intolerant of anything different from what "they" believe. To me it is very reminiscent of those "uppity" black folk that wanted to use "whitey's" drinking fountain.

P.S. VOTE NO ON PROP 8 - MY CHILDREN DESERVE TO HAVE TWO PARENTS!
(I also find it odd that the "Moral Majority" is against stable, loving, two parent families - go figure)

 

[impressive]

California Prop 8 is a perfect example of intolerance.

Government-sanctioned intolerance, at that.

 

[epiphany65]

Government-sanctioned intolerance, at that.

much like Apartheid...

 

[rgraham666]

Intolerance is easier than thinking. It frees a person from responsibility for their actions as well.

 

[Belegon]

An interesting side note that may not have made it outside California.

There are grumblings that churches who actively support Prop. 8 are willfully endangering their own tax-exempt status by taking a direct political position. Sounds common and obvious, but this time it is actually reaching the level of the local evening news. That the legality of the churches behavior is fodder for a venue that usually seeks NOT to offend is telling.

The tide is rising and not in favor of the supporters of the ban. I am becoming more confident that 8 will fail, if only because a great mass of voters in the middle see it as a dangerous incursion into legislating morality.

 

[gauchecritic]

I'm finding it difficult to formulate a sentence on intolerance so:

If you find something offensive, anything, from drugs to nucular weapons but pose no active opposition, nor voice any then you are tolerating it.

Turning a blind eye to graft or child labour is tolerating them.

If you don't report your suspicions about how your neighbour got those bruises on her face then you are tolerating that suspected situation.

If you refuse to vote for either candidate then you are tolerating your given government.

If you insist on driving a 12 litre car for trips round town then you are tolerating over depletion of natural resources.

 

[Belegon]

Government-sanctioned intolerance, at that.

much like Apartheid...

...That's if Prop. 8 passes, God forbid.

In the interest of supporting the brave justices who made an ethical but unpopular decision, I feel I should point out that Prop. 8 is the public trying to overturn the decision of the judicial branch by changing the constitution of the state, thereby making the court's decision that defining marriage by gender is unconstitutional moot.

 

[impressive]

The truly intolerant extend that belief to associations, affiliations, skin colors, creeds, preferences, and personal habits, to name just a few.

You mean, associations like a presidential candidate who's been associated (as in "breathed the same room's air") with a known terrorist whose illegal activities took place when said candidate was only 8 years old?

Yeah, I certainly know some folks tarring Obama with that brush. That would make them intolerant by your definition.

 

[DesertPirate]

You mean, associations like a presidential candidate who's been associated (as in "breathed the same room's air") with a known terrorist whose illegal activities took place when said candidate was only 8 years old?

Yeah, I certainly know some folks tarring Obama with that brush. That would make them intolerant by your definition.

You mean the one that helped fund the terrorists version of education?

 

[TxRad]

Intolerance....

A small mind that can't be opened without a crowbar being jammed up their ass.

 

[jomar]

Rigid beliefs.

 

[Guest]

How about an off-the-top-of-the-head definition?

We need not tolerate things people do that harm others physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, and so forth. It's the basic social contract, IMO.

For the rest, intolerance comes down to, "I wouldn't, so you mustn't."

 

[R. Richard]

How about an off-the-top-of-the-head definition?

We need not tolerate things people do that harm others physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, and so forth. It's the basic social contract, IMO.

For the rest, intolerance comes down to, "I wouldn't, so you mustn't."

How about, 'I want to, so you must?'

 

[starrkers]

Using the Ignore feature - I can't make you act the way I want, so I deny your existence.
(and yes, I do use the feature)

 

[maggot420]

intolerance you find longer legs

 

[impressive]

Using the Ignore feature - I can't make you act the way I want, so I deny your existence.
(and yes, I do use the feature)

I actually enjoy conversing with folks having different views, because the potential to learn is greatest, but when every interaction becomes a dig, there's nothing to be gained by paying attention to them any longer. That's when the "dead to me" feature comes in handy. Who needs more counterproductive stressors?

 

[Saucy_Sage]

You mean, associations like a presidential candidate who's been associated (as in "breathed the same room's air") with a known terrorist whose illegal activities took place when said candidate was only 8 years old?

Yeah, I certainly know some folks tarring Obama with that brush. That would make them intolerant by your definition.

I'm not sure that it would. If they believe that the association is illegitimate, rather than simply wrong, they would be intolerant. For example, if an association is based on homosexual love/commitment/etc., some people would consider that wrong but "tolerate" it. Others believe it illegitimate and try to exterminate it. Only the latter group is intolerant, in my view. I don't agree with the former group either, but at least they're not "intolerant."