Tolerance. A word that ranks almost as high as “green” in the sense of being politically correct. For many people, hearing this word would evoke images of peace and happiness. I roll my eyes. Now tolerance—true tolerance—isn't bad at all. In fact, the idea of people getting along with and respecting those with differing opinions is wonderful. The problem is that “tolerance” by today's definition isn't tolerant at all.
Modern-day tolerance says that everyone will get along if we all agree with each other. If one person has one opinion, and another person has a different opinion, they are not only suppose to say that it is alright to have a different opinion, but they are suppose to say that the other person's opinion is just as right or correct as their own. That is simply not going to work in the world we live in. A Muslim and a Christian are not going to agree with each other on everything; a Mormon and a Buddhist are not going to agree with each other. If an atheist says that that those who believe in a divine power are just as right as they are, are they really atheist anymore? This issue doesn't just apply to religion. There are lots of contradicting moral and political views that can't agree with each other. The sort of tolerance that people are trying to instigate is really just relativism, the belief that there is no truth.
The problem with relativist tolerance, is that although it is suppose to agree with everyone, it definitely does not agree with intolerance. Actually, many people who believe in tolerance are very intolerant of those who don't. Sounds a bit hypocritical to me. One example of this is banned books. Many books are banned because of “intolerant” content that might offend someone. However, doing so is being intolerant of the views expressed in the book. Oftentimes, those who think that someone else's opinion is wrong are labeled as hateful, intolerant snobs. It is now seen as wrong to say that someone else is wrong, unless the person who is wrong is someone who says that others are wrong. Along with contradicting the right of free speech, this mentality is extremely confusing.
People often equate disagreement with intolerance, but they are actually two very different things. It is possible to disagree with someone and still be truly tolerant of them. For example, I think that smoking is a very unhealthy choice. If I'm standing next to someone who's smoking, I have the right to tell them that I think they are doing something unhealthy or walk away if I don't want to breathe in the fumes. (Disclaimer: If you are offended because you think I am saying that smokers are stupid, please understand that this is not my intent. There is no need to have my blog taken off this site.) However, if I try to forcible take the cigarette, or attack them, I'm doing something that's wrong and truly intolerant. Another, rather controversial example would be same-sex marriage. I am straight and believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. (Disclaimer: If you are offended because you think that I'm trying to impose my moral values on you, please understand that this is not my intent. I am simply stating my beliefs. There is no need to sue me.) Obviously, I disagree with lesbians. However, I do not hate them. I treat lesbians with the same respect that I show everyone else, and I am a very respectful person. I disagree with them, but I'm still tolerant of them. True tolerance is respecting others' opinions, not necessarily agreeing with them.
Our society needs to recognize the real meaning of tolerance and intolerance. Relativist tolerance is not possible in our world. It contradicts itself and condemns people for expressing their views. We need a society that respects everyone, not a society that agrees with everyone. (Disclaimer: If you are offended because you think that I'm trying to convince you that modern tolerance has gone too far, deal with it. This is a persuasive essay.)
