Liberals and Progressives: Does being intolerant of intolerance make one a bigot? (poll, racist)
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This is an oft-employed accusation by many conservatives when they are critiqued and contradicted by social progressives. Is it valid, or a faux argument?
Geez, another gay thread. It doesn't specifically say so, but you know thats what this is about. I believe in the First Amendment. I believe in freedom of religion and speech, for ALL people, not just if it agrees with a liberal point of view.
A simple question addressing the problem of lack of education & experience. Why should one be tolerant of ignorance? Its like a parent expecting a baby to drive the car. When it is clear that an individual doesn’t have the smarts or ability to make right decisions then they need to be relieved of the responsibility for fear that they & others will get hurt.
Bush clearly is seen as an ill-equipped/"uncurious" man who as president created a mountain of problems for the nation & world. America has been the butt of jokes world-wide b/c we elected a bubbling idiot as our president [though of-course most Democrats did not vote for Bush ever].
So some on this website get all insulted & angry when called "ignorant." That's too bad & I have encouraged many to go back to school, preferably college so that they can better understand the world & gain some skills.
And this is why social progressives get a lot of flack.
Obviously one is going to believe that their social mores and philosophies are best. And some can even use more then mere feelings to explain why. But when social progressives start immediatly calling people with opposing viewpoints 'ignorant' 'racist' 'bible thumper' and what appears to be the worst cuss word of all to a liberal -- a conservative , that person loses his/her validity very quickly. How can one be open minded and judgemental at the same time? How can someone purporting to have an analytical mind still say with a straight face "only bible thumping, racist Mcmansion living conservatives belive xyz". Again, crediblity is lost.
Now, for someone to say "I believe in xyz because abc" would show openmindedness to all possible positions while showing specific reasons as to why your position either makes sense or is the best one. Name calling may be easy, but it really only shows that your position is weak. Although, I have been guilty of it too, from time to time. Tempers can be lost --- but it is important to try to keep the level of discourse to a high standard.
Geez, another gay thread. It doesn't specifically say so, but you know thats what this is about. I believe in the First Amendment. I believe in freedom of religion and speech, for ALL people, not just if it agrees with a liberal point of view.
I'm sorry why is this another gay thread? Apparently I can't read between the lines.
And this is why social progressives get a lot of flack.
Obviously one is going to believe that their social mores and philosophies are best. And some can even use more then mere feelings to explain why. But when social progressives start immediatly calling people with opposing viewpoints 'ignorant' 'racist' 'bible thumper' and what appears to be the worst cuss word of all to a liberal -- a conservative , that person loses his/her validity very quickly. How can one be open minded and judgemental at the same time? How can someone purporting to have an analytical mind still say with a straight face "only bible thumping, racist Mcmansion living conservatives belive xyz". Again, crediblity is lost.
Now, for someone to say "I believe in xyz because abc" would show openmindedness to all possible positions while showing specific reasons as to why your position either makes sense or is the best one. Name calling may be easy, but it really only shows that your position is weak. Although, I have been guilty of it too, from time to time. Tempers can be lost --- but it is important to try to keep the level of discourse to a high standard.
I do agree and think it's a valid post. I am very liberal in my views BUT also find myself very embarrassed when "liberals" come out swinging. I'm sure I have been guilty of it, in the heat of the moment it's not easy to not aim low. However as someone from a very progressive, liberal state, the people that I know and associate with are rarely like this. Most of them would actually be quite offended by the arguments that some "liberals" make on this forum. It is not the norm and shouldn't be assumed to be the norm. Just like I know from experience that "conservatives" don't always feel the way others do on this forum. It's a very small and not a representative sample.
I am tolerant of people who are even intolerant of people (who claim to somehow claim to be tolerant) who are intolerant. But people who are intolerant of the intolerant are by definition not as tolerant as tolerant people like me.
Main Entry:big·ot Pronunciation: \ˈbi-gət\ Function:noun Etymology:French, hypocrite, bigotDate:1660 : a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance
By this definition, a person who is intolerant of a group (intolerant people) is a bigot.
Oh wait. Is this poll limited to Liberals and Progressives only?
Last edited by Bob The Builder; 06-21-2008 at 11:39 PM..
The gay issue is where people today are called bigots and intolerant.
Why is that only a gay issue? I'm feeling the irony in your post. This post was not presented to any one topic, it simply asked why someone who opposes someone else considered a bigot/intolerant. It seems you are getting defensive about something that isn't even directed at you.
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, that person loses his/her validity very quickly. How can one be open minded and judgemental at the same time? How can someone purporting to have an analytical mind still say with a straight face "only bible thumping, racist Mcmansion living conservatives belive xyz". Again, crediblity is lost. 
