That is pretty much it, yeah, and I have met many people too proud of their tolerance to realize refusing to condemn anything means condoning everything. Given how dangerous that is, self preservation as much as human decency compels me to shout, "STOP!" all the louder when others will not. I am not trying to point fingers at anyone in particular (just the opposite, believe it or not) but it is not a position from which I will back down either, because it is as necessary as it is right.


Beliefs do NOT fall under the jurisdiction of law; perhaps ironically, I agree with those who say they should not. ACTIONS fall under legal jurisdiction, but negative harmful beliefs produce negative harmful acts. Knowing those acts will be prosecuted is cold comfort if I know the beliefs driving them will also be accepted, and thus flourish unchecked. I can and do TOLERATE those beliefs, but will never ACCEPT them, because they are not "just fine:" They are tolerable, and only to the extent they are restricted to consenting adults.

I will not impose my beliefs on those who do not share them, but will do all I legally can to change harmful beliefs. People can never be coerced to alter beliefs, but can and should be convinced and encouraged to alter destructive dangerous ones. I still tolerate both those beliefs and people who hold them, but have no duty to accept the beliefs; just the opposite, in fact. I tolerate racism just fine, but will never accept it, and will always discourage it by any just means available. Many people agree, but try to marry that to a moral relativism fatal to it, which I also oppose.


My intent was to make this about everyone, and if anything I think I encountered opposition because I painted with too broad a brush. On the other hand, a big reason why was because I did not single out individuals. The closest I came was in pointing out giving all comers blank checks is the short road to bankruptcy, but I did not even do that until mocked as "intolerant."

I also am not speaking (solely) about religion, despite mentioning ecumenicalism once or twice. When I referenced spirituality, it was again in the broadest sense, because healthy developed spirituality encourages treating others with human decency (i.e. tolerance) as well as recognizing some beliefs and behavior as unacceptable. Yet, although that includes religious beliefs, it is not restricted to them either, and in my experience the same often applies to people wearing "Coexist" banners. Like I say, it is everything and, while I tolerate everything, I do not accept everything, opposing many peacefully but strongly from necessity.