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Tolerance is destroying concept of what’s right, wrong
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sarah-Jane Fawcett is a 12th-grader at Niskayuna High School. My co-worker is giving me that look again. What intolerant thing did I say? Oh . . . I was talking about abstinence. I have to remember that some people might be offended with my beliefs. I have to remember to keep my views to myself. But wait . . . this is America, isn’t it? Don’t I have the freedom and right to proclaim my beliefs? Homosexuals do, feminists do and Muslims do, so why can’t I? Why do I have to be tolerant of everyone else, but I cannot expect anyone to be tolerant of me? Why is it that when my values clash with another’s, I am intolerable? Let’s examine the word tolerance. The original definition is to accept the right of another person to hold differing views to yours and to respect those people. Under this definition, we are free to live our convictions out loud — to even see our way as the only way — but still understand that we must respect one another. This has allowed most of our communities to co-exist relatively peacefully. However, over the years, a new, deadly definition of tolerance has slithered into our society. To be tolerant in today’s world, you must accept everyone’s ideas and lifestyles as equally valid as your own. Furthermore, you must endorse and praise those differing beliefs! If your convictions keep you from doing that, you are therefore intolerant and consequently intolerable. This mindset is reflected in how our nation became more tolerant toward what used to be viewed as absolute wrongs. According to the National Gallup Poll, 59 percent of Americans viewed premarital sex as morally acceptable in 2007, up from 45 percent in 2002. Also, homosexual relations have grown in acceptance from 40 percent in 2001 to 47 percent in 2007. If we continue to fail pointing out right and wrong in the name of tolerance, it will lead to a nation without a sense of personal responsibility. Embracing modern-day tolerance will force us to stand on the premise that there is no right and wrong. Therefore, we have nothing to stand for and fight for. Life is meaningless. I don’t know about you, but I can’t accept that. I do believe that there is a right and wrong. Being able to find the truth and spread the word is a unique privilege this nation offers. Tolerance has taken many under its wing, and is silencing those who have “intolerable” convictions. Unless we see that today’s definition of tolerance is intolerant to our primary values and free speech, we will become entangled in a web of fear — the fear of appearing intolerant. Can we reject this poisonous view of tolerance before it’s too late?
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12:26 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
So what your saying is that we should be tolerant of your intolerance?
8:50 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
You didn't mention interracial marriage, which was only approved of by 48% in 1994, rising to 77% in 2007, according to Gallup. Women didn't used to have the right to vote, blacks were 3/5 of a person, and slavery was legal. Sometimes people come to realize that the "absolute wrongs" weren't so absolute, and that the things they approved of weren't so good.
7:44 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
People like you, Sarah, are the reason why there is hate in the world. I don't agree that you are forced to "endorse and praise" other viewpoints.
Ever hear the saying 'If you don't have anything nice to say dont say anything at all', well that's all you have to do.
If you don't agree with me being gay then you don't have to say anything. I don't agree with you being a crazy neo-christian but I don't write articles about it and complain about you.
12:38 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
You need to think before you speak.
Do yourself a favor and travel to a country less fortunate to have the rights and abilities we have in society. In fact, your a woman, goto the Middle East, and try out your freedoms there.
Make sure to cover up all your skin, except your eyes. Remember that your husband has the right to beat you if you speak against him. And if you speak against the local government, you will be punished.
Your so lucky, you don't even know it. Tolerance is what allowed you to publish this article.
11:45 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Sarah, you have a great amount of insight. These other people have their heads buried in sand. This is a very well written article. Thank you!
12:33 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
I see that many of the previous posters did not understand what the young lady was saying. If they had I hope they would not have said exactly what she predicted - she has opinions other than the far left and therefore she is intolerant.
For those of you who missed the point - she is giving you the right to have your opinion BUT she is asking YOU to give her the right to have hers without being condemned for having such opinions.
My Father and uncles fought (and one uncle died) so EVERYONE would have the right to an opinion. The elitist "thinkers" are opinining that if it is American it is wrong; if you embrace and proclaim Christian values (which by the way built this Country) you are a bigot, racist, whatever word the "thinkers" choose to label you with. The troops who fought the wars for freedom were (and are) from every race, religion, and some are non-religion yet all fought for your right to hold YOUR beliefs. It took a high school senior to express it and get the treatment she expected - vilification. Kudos, young lady. Thank you for giving hope that the youth of this wonderful Country really do have minds and are not "like all on M-TV like......".
4:06 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Ms. Fawcett,
At the outset you claim that if you have to be tolerant of others proclaiming their beliefs they should be tolerant of your rights to do the same. I could not agree with you more. However, allowing a person to voice their opinion does not mean that one has to accept that opinion. You go on to back your opinion with National Gallup Poll figures in an attempt to give credence to your view. I'm not sure if this was meant, but you also seem to think that a moral decay of the fabric of society is being caused by homosexuals and premarital sex. You sum this up thus: "If we continue to fail pointing out right and wrong in the name of tolerance, it will lead to a nation without a sense of personal responsibility." Have you appointed yourself as some kind of moral police crusader. So what is immoral? Your lumping of Muslims, Gays, and Feminists together may be construed as bigoted and immoral. I don't know any muslim, gay feminists-do you? If so I would be very interested to hear their opinions.
To me 'variety is the spice of life'. If these are truely your opinions, you still have many great works of art and literature to police. But this as well, is simply my opinion, of which I hope you will be tolerant.
-Atosa Ghasripoor, soon to be a Niskayuna High School Junior
9:43 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Excellent Point! To the people who are condemning her, you are proving her point brilliantly. The key is that she is saying that the definition of tolerance has come to mean universal acceptance, to the point of not voicing what others may consider negative beliefs. If we all only say Yes, I agree, we are OK,If I say, I don't agree, here is why I believe you are wrong, then you are hateful.
The point of her data seems to me is to say here are some ideals that were accepted by less than the majority of people, they may be her beliefs that they are wrong or right, but the article doesn't explicitly say it may be implied. I think it can be stated based on the fact that less than a majority found these two examples accceptable that they are controversial topics, and are rapidly becoming accepted. I don't read anywhere were judgement was passed.
But I don't see how any thinking person can look at the main point, regardless of point of view and say that eventually, under this type of thinking there will be no line between right and wrong, if all beliefs are tolerated, where is the line? You can turn this point completely the opposite way and take what a majority of society now consideres to be horrible behaviors, just as the points she made where once almost universally considered wrong. The things we now consider wrong as a society may someday, albeit slowly, under the guise of tolerance become acceptable behaviors, and in the future people will be debating this same thing.
8:30 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
i'm pretty sure her name is sarah-jane, not sarah (just saying).
12:42 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
There will always be a line between right and wrong. If someone murders someone, it is wrong. If someone is gay, muslim, or a feminist it is not. I hope that when you go to college (if you do) you have a gay,muslim, feminist roommate. I would feel bad for her having to tolerate you. If someone has a problem with you being abstinent, then they are just as bad as you, but you being bothered with someone because they think it's okay to have pre-marital sex is just hypocritical. If you are going to publish an article about wanting people to be tolerant of you, you need to stay away from saying intolerant things.