Tolerance is Condescending? (hell, quote, beliefs, belief)

[Glacierx]

Penn Jillette: Why Tolerance Is Condescending - YouTube

[PoppySead]

I share the same opinion on fundamentalists as Penn actually. Don't believe in it, but I do respect it more and admire their precision and dedication because if you are going to bet your afterlife on something, and judge all of mankind on a daily basis for their belief or lack of then I think you should show as much conviction as you can muster. If you are going to give your life's beliefs up to a black book, then I would hope you'd actually read it more than once or at least once in your life here on earth.

[Clintone]

Originally Posted by PoppySead

I share the same opinion on fundamentalists as Penn actually. Don't believe in it, but I do respect it more and admire their precision and dedication because if you are going to bet your afterlife on something, and judge all of mankind on a daily basis for their belief or lack of then I think you should show as much conviction as you can muster. If you are going to give your life's beliefs up to a black book, then I would hope you'd actually read it more than once or at least once in your life here on earth.

My morality differs a bit from yours.

*I think living in a world where honesty would be viewed as synonymous with respect would be lead to a less pleasant existence. I would discourage that. (This part is a disagreement with Penn.)


* I don't view either fundamentalists or liberal theists as more respectable. If we want, we can send them through the pinball machine, saying, "Well, at least the fundamentalists seek truth" (or maybe they augment their view of reality intentionally more than liberal theists) or "Well at least the liberal theists are nicer" (except that the fundamentalists are trying to save their loved ones from hellfire) or "Well, at least the liberal theists have a back up plan in case they're wrong of not screwing over so many people" (politeness, compared to hellfire? politeness is better? really?) or "Well at least the fundamentalists truly, genuinely believe what they believe" (so what? the beliefs of the liberal theists are less harmful to those around them if they're wrong. Who are we to impose thought crimes?)

I like to focus on: If someone has an idea that seems hazardous to their own or others' health, it's a good idea to correct that person. This makes it more likely for my teeth to go around the throats of the fundamentalist theists...but only the ones who talk the most.


I do agree that it's a good idea to learn about the religion we follow though.

[Arjay51]

A display of tolerance is definitely condescending.

It shows that you think you are head and shoulders superior to others.

If you are truly tolerant, no need to make a display of it, just accept that others are different and go with it.