Every once in a while I may try to tackle a contentious subject. I’m not a political animal, but I am an idea and principle one. Here we go – ready?
I recently read a book called “Skin in the Game” where the author poses many ideas and points out many obvious and fascinating issues at work in our world. One of the ideas that grabbed me was about tolerance.
America is a tolerant place. We are supposed to tolerate different religions, ideas, etc. Where the problem comes in that allows a “radical minority” to change America, is tolerating the intolerant. Let me pick a few examples at the risk of you thinking this post is about those examples.
If most of us want the American flag (or prayer) in the classroom, and a small vocal minority comes along and says they don’t, and they are intolerant (and offended) and we cater to them by removing the flag and prayer, then the intolerant have won in changing the tolerant majority. But if tolerance is what we expect in America, shouldn’t the minority be tolerant of the majority?
I saw transgender bathrooms in the SanDiego airport. Isn’t that how that happened? We were tolerant of the intolerant.
There are major religions in the world where if a member of that religion marries a member of a different religion, the new mate MUST convert to their religion and the children must be that religion as well. Over the decades you can see tolerant religions being overrun by the intolerant.
Tolerance is an important part of a free society. But it has to go both ways. If we are tolerant of the intolerant, then the intolerant take over and we have lost tolerance – right?
Never heard it said better! Thanks Larry
This is a hot topic and you have articulated your thoughts well. I only wish this is how it worked . It seems to me that most people who claim to be tolerant (or who at least those who proclaim it the loudest) are tolerant of everything, except for that with which they personally disagree.
Very Well said !!
This is so true….my thoughts exactly!
Amen!
Very well put!!
Finally, someone has made it simple to understand. Very well put!!
Well delicately said! We have grown quite colorful as a tolorant country just in the last decade alone and now we tolerantly walk on egg shells about these subjects. Our great grandfathers would be shocked! My kids are in a school where they are not as subject to the as tolerant schools and we defend traditions such as the pledge allegiance to start the day. Someone needs to say it. Thanks for the share.
God bless America!
I believe you just did what is called hitting the nail on the head…. How can people be so blind?…… Larry Janesky for president!
Your last sentence sum it up – by giving in to the radicals, we allow ourselves to become weakened and marginalized.
. If we are tolerant of the intolerant, then the intolerant take over and we have lost tolerance – right?
This sentence sums it up: If we are tolerant of the intolerant, then the intolerant take over and we have lost tolerance – right?
By giving in we allow the radical small groups to control and marginalize the timid majority.
Larry,
I hope you are well, it has been too long. I look forward to your blogs everyday, and appreciate everything you share. I rarely leave a comment, but this one was deserves the appreciation. I appreciate men (and women) who have the willingness to say what they think and not be scared to do so. I could not agree with you more and appreciate your example and leadership.
You hit the nail right on the head!
Well said Larry,…. when the intolerant minority wins,….. we ALL lose… chipping away at the freedoms the tolerant majority so cherishes….
Very deep thought. I see where you are coming from and my first reaction is to agree. Now I am thinking about how that applies to many situations in the world and what is my part in that process. Thanks!
Seems so simple, right?
This sentence struck me: “But if tolerance is what we expect in America, shouldn’t the minority be tolerant of the majority?”
Doesn’t the majority need to be tolerant of the minority too? Also, how are we measuring this “majority” anyway – is it the people who are simply the loudest or are we taking legitimate polls to define what the majority and minority is?
I see your point – but it goes both ways. Just because a majority wants something doesn’t mean it’s the right choice (i.e. slavery) That’s where compromise comes in – a topic you should have addressed in this piece as it’s a crucial point of friction when tolerance is in question. Time passes, things change, the minority today will not be the minority of tomorrow. I think there is a larger gray area to discuss that you do not address in this piece.
We learn at a young age that the squeakiest wheels get greased.
Unfortunately not always fair to the others.
Absolutely agree.
It is absolutely happening. When will it stop?
Larry – well said. Would like to continue this conversation about how to stop this madness. How can we work together to stop this process of the minority controlling the majority? Thank you for taking a respectful stand!
Our country started because a few men ( the minority) had the courage to no longer tolerate the current system . It worked and the ideals expanded and our country prospered -we had rules that made sense and people generally abided by those rules – the play book didn’t change dramatically every year – but we reached a tipping point – too many people and too many opinions and the belief that we can fight for our rights no matter how stupid those rights might be – A legal system that is accepting of nonsense lawsuits – why because we have the right … a political system that has gotten too big , one that can no longer realistically represent the voice of the majority -why because there is no majority. A system that is run by special interest that relies on crying and whining to gain popularity (votes ) – the system needs problems so political candidates can present solutions to win elections. Problems like transgender rights are low hanging fruit & easy targets that’s why these nonsense issues get attention –
who’s to say what’s a real problem vs an imaginary problem though ?
When our founding fathers rallied for support they gained it because others believed in the cause – no one gave them privledge out of fear of some back lash – they grew from a minority into a majority organically . I think that’s the difference – they weren’t given special rights – they earned those rights
GOD Bless America
Excellent post! Couldn’t agree more!
Only wish more people had the opportunity to really think about that sentence , maybe we would have civility.
This is the real reason I read Think Daily. It makes me think of things differently. It has always upset me that a small minority changes policy for everyone. One guy puts a worthless bomb in his shoe and every single person has to take their shoes off at the airport.
Thanks for tackling this issue.