Tolerance

TOLERANCE I have little tolerance for tolerant people. Those that will endure the corruption of the truth, the erosion of meaning. While at the same time being intolerant of your opinions, thoughts, and level of tolerance. There is a quote attributed to Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” How many of the “tolerant” would be willing to fight for our right to “disapprove of what they say”? Hush the crowd so that we might be heard? Unblock their ears and hearts and listen? Does the present day “tolerance” lack tolerance, lack understanding, lack the ability to endure a voice that is not in tune, does not sing the same song, does not pray the same prayer? Or do they tolerate, put up with, the “fool”, while denying acceptance of his opinions, his beliefs. Perhaps the fool is more tolerant than they. Listening to what they say, watching how they carry themselves, interact with those “different” than themselves. For they think him a “fool”, because they do not know that he thinks, what he thinks, and most sadly, they do not care to know. They will tolerate his presence but not allow him to be present, listen to his voice yet hear nothing, speak of equality while lauding their position, education, power over him. For they are tolerant only of themselves, of their ideas, their thoughts, their peers, their alleged - equals. They disapprove of us, and what we say, and will defend their right to keep it so. John G. Lawless – 6/9/2014