What does "tolerance" mean to you?

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[herbalgoddess13]

Granted, I'm thinking of "tolerance" in political terms, but it also, obviously, has religious implications, so I'm not going to limit how the word is used here.

What does "tolerance" mean to you? Does it have different meanings based on what you're talking about? How do you define an "intolerant" person and how do you deal with them?

I pretty much agree with HeartShadow.  I don't have a use for the word "tolerance" when talking about race, religion or sexual preference.  I never want to "tolerate" who a person is.  When my son plays the same Bob Dylan song over and over on his guitar so he can get the rhythm down just right I tolerate it.  If my friend is gay, that is who they are and the word "tolerance" is not a term I would use.

Now that I've gone OT  .  To me "Tolerance" means that I listen to the persons views with interest and openness.  I'm willing to hear them out and consider what they have to say. 

It can have different meanings if the person is forceful, cruel or intolerant of others (such as a person spewing hatred for a race, religion or sexual orientation).  At that point, I'm no longer going to engage with them or consider what they have to say.  I may shut down altogether.   

Again, if a person is forceful or cruel about their opinions, I will likely shut down at that point and leave.  Depending on the situation, I've said "I don't appreciate this" or "I won't listen to this anymore".  But I'm not one to argue and I won't waste my time and emotional energy doing so.

[Matrinka]

Granted, I'm thinking of "tolerance" in political terms, but it also, obviously, has religious implications, so I'm not going to limit how the word is used here.

What does "tolerance" mean to you? Does it have different meanings based on what you're talking about? How do you define an "intolerant" person and how do you deal with them?

Tolerance = Live and let live.  Being willing to hear the other side and not dismiss it out of hand just because it isn't your beliefs, your views is being tolerant.  Being tolerant means not hating someone because they're not just like you.

It doesn't mean saying they're right.  It doesn't mean you have to give up your own beliefs and point of view.  It means allowing others to hold their own beliefs without trying to shove yours down their throat.  It means making space in your world for people who disagree with you, sometimes rather completely, and not being threatened by that.

I am a generally tolerant person.  There are some things I consider intolerable, and those things I cannot and will not make room for in my world.  Abuse, bigotry, willful ignorance, uncalled for violence- all of these and others belong in this category.  I will not tolerate them in my personal world, at all.  I will call bullshite on those who engage in these sorts of behavior, attempt to use education first, to show them a better way, and where called for, I will remove them from my world, by force if necessary.  Being tolerant does not mean being a doormat.  It doesn't require that I put up with racists, abusers or idiots of any stripe. 

[herbalgoddess13]

Tolerance = Live and let live.  Being willing to hear the other side and not dismiss it out of hand just because it isn't your beliefs, your views is being tolerant.  Being tolerant means not hating someone because they're not just like you.

It doesn't mean saying they're right.  It doesn't mean you have to give up your own beliefs and point of view.  It means allowing others to hold their own beliefs without trying to shove yours down their throat.  It means making space in your world for people who disagree with you, sometimes rather completely, and not being threatened by that.

I am a generally tolerant person.  There are some things I consider intolerable, and those things I cannot and will not make room for in my world.  Abuse, bigotry, willful ignorance, uncalled for violence- all of these and others belong in this category.  I will not tolerate them in my personal world, at all.  I will call bullshite on those who engage in these sorts of behavior, attempt to use education first, to show them a better way, and where called for, I will remove them from my world, by force if necessary.  Being tolerant does not mean being a doormat.  It doesn't require that I put up with racists, abusers or idiots of any stripe. 

Can I just say that you stated this beautifully and I agree 100%

[fatalperfection]

Granted, I'm thinking of "tolerance" in political terms, but it also, obviously, has religious implications, so I'm not going to limit how the word is used here.

What does "tolerance" mean to you? Does it have different meanings based on what you're talking about? How do you define an "intolerant" person and how do you deal with them?

I find tolerance being able to say "I accept that you have a right to think the way you do, whether I understand it or not, just as much as I have a right to think how I do, whether you understand it or not. And that I accept you are not stupid for your beliefs. You have as much a right to hold them as anyone." However, I don't find it to say, "Everyone is right."

[Stitchii]

Granted, I'm thinking of "tolerance" in political terms, but it also, obviously, has religious implications, so I'm not going to limit how the word is used here.

What does "tolerance" mean to you? Does it have different meanings based on what you're talking about? How do you define an "intolerant" person and how do you deal with them?

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Voltaire

When it comes to tolerance, I basically chant this quote^^ in my head with grace. There are rare times when I cannot understand why a person does certain things. I call it rare because I have a LOT of empathy. I can understand a serial killer probably. But, of course, there are some that I cannot fathom. When this happens, I let them know that I really want to hear what they have to say. Rarely, I can never understand, and that frustrates people. But, I continuelly ask them to go on until they have had enough of me. When there are times when I completely disagree, my whole day consists of pondering about it. I don't think there is only ONE way of doing things right which is why I spent hours if not days speculating opposing views. I enjoy radical or opposing opinions. It is a chance to evolve my beliefs. Tolerance is when I cannot agree, but continue to listen and try to understand without throwing fits.

[Abzynthia]

Granted, I'm thinking of "tolerance" in political terms, but it also, obviously, has religious implications, so I'm not going to limit how the word is used here.

What does "tolerance" mean to you? Does it have different meanings based on what you're talking about? How do you define an "intolerant" person and how do you deal with them?

Basically to live and let live. Each one of us has their own truth. And To be tolerant to me is to allow see that, live that and experience that. Not just to say that. That's not to say that everyone else out there will do the same. I have had my toes stepped on a time or two. Have been told I was wrong or worse by people of other beliefs. But in the end what matters is how you react that is he only thing that effects your path. Not anyone else's words or actions.

[RyanCSmith]

Granted, I'm thinking of "tolerance" in political terms, but it also, obviously, has religious implications, so I'm not going to limit how the word is used here.

What does "tolerance" mean to you? Does it have different meanings based on what you're talking about? How do you define an "intolerant" person and how do you deal with them?

I think that tolerance means having a live and let live attitude about how other people choose to live their lives.  Religion, sexuality, job, whatever really as long as they aren't hurting themselves or others in the process.

I do NOT, however, think that being tolerant of other people's opinions means that said other people get to make their own set of facts to back it up.  That which is observably true by objective standards, testing, and proof is true and personally I think an opinion with a faulty factual or logical foundation is not a very good one.  I don't see it as tolerant to say, "It's what they believe" if someone believes something that is factually false like for example the moon landings were hoaxed or holds an opinion based on false or faulty facts and logic.

To me intolerance ultimately stems from willful ignorance and lack of respect for another person's opinion.  Intolerance, in my opinion, occurs when people give in to their prejudices and abandon reason. 

When dealing with intolerant people I try to at least point out the logical or factual problems with their ideas.  If that doesn't work I don't waste any more time on them unless they do something nasty that needs to be called out.

[Abzynthia]

I think that tolerance means having a live and let live attitude about how other people choose to live their lives.  Religion, sexuality, job, whatever really as long as they aren't hurting themselves or others in the process.

I do NOT, however, think that being tolerant of other people's opinions means that said other people get to make their own set of facts to back it up.  That which is observably true by objective standards, testing, and proof is true and personally I think an opinion with a faulty factual or logical foundation is not a very good one.  I don't see it as tolerant to say, "It's what they believe" if someone believes something that is factually false like for example the moon landings were hoaxed or holds an opinion based on false or faulty facts and logic.

To me intolerance ultimately stems from willful ignorance and lack of respect for another person's opinion.  Intolerance, in my opinion, occurs when people give in to their prejudices and abandon reason. 

When dealing with intolerant people I try to at least point out the logical or factual problems with their ideas.  If that doesn't work I don't waste any more time on them unless they do something nasty that needs to be called out.

Moon landings being hoaxed is one thing. However if you want to talk conspiracy theory and rationale I think greater harm is done by believing and Teaching that the holocaust never occurred.

There are allot of people react from fear in this world and unfortunately that stems from ignorance. That being said you can lead a horse to water, but you can't force it to drink...
When confronted by that all you can do is be tolerant not a doormat. Tolerance is not a weakness it is actually a strength.

[silvercrone]

Can I just say that you stated this beautifully and I agree 100%

I agree with Matrinka and Herbalgoddess 100%.   I am respectful of other persons' opinions until those with harmful, hating views act on them in any way, verbal or otherwise, that can cause harm to others.  I usually find haters so distressing that I excuse myself from the discussion.  *sigh*  I try to be civil about it, but I'm afraid that recently, when I've received hating political emails, my fingers have taken on a life of their own and replied to the sender that what they sent me was offensive.  I don't want to "hate the haters" but I do intend to strive not only for objectivity, but for fair play and balance.

[Browen]

Tolerance, to me, is recognizing that people who are different from you are not necessarily bad just because of those differences.  It's learning to live with those differences even if you don't like them.

It makes perfect sense.  If we would all teach our children tolerance, we would have "wars" for our religion. There would be no Jihad (not sure if I spelled that right).  Just because we don't agree or like things, doesn't mean that they are bad. I don't like the color pink, does that make it evil and in need of destroying? No, it just means that I won't wear it, but if you like it and it looks good on you, then wear it.  I wish true tolerance were practiced more.  My parents are hardcore Christian and they know I'm Pagan. My dad still thinks it's not great, but I'm not the antichrist to him. My mom's a little more accepting, but even so, neither of them call me evil or bad.  Tolerance would make the world a better place.

Browen

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