Are you a hypocrite for being intolerant towards intolerant? (Jesus, beliefs)

[Mathematician]

This is a question that has interested me for sometime. I have no clear answer.

[zombieharlot]

All it is is a play on words. So no. That's like saying, "this loneliness just won't leave me alone." That's a Portishead lyric BTW.

[darkwaldo]

In a way, it is hypocritical to be intolerant of intolerance; however, if being intolerant of intolerance leads to greater freedom and equality for all, then I see nothing wrong with it. I think you need to be more specific. There are certain things which no one should have to tolerate i.e, murder, etc. If you're taking about religious beliefs, then there isn't any reason why anyone should have to tolerate a person trying to force there beliefs on other people.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

This is a question that has interested me for sometime. I have no clear answer.

For me, 'intolerance' means not at all tolerant. And I'm tolerant of intolerance itself. It's the hatred and the anger (and sometimes ignorance) which fuel that I dislike.

[standing_on_one_foot]

Being tolerant in the sense you're using it doesn't mean having no standards and putting up with everything. That'd be foolish. It has more to do with accepting/respecting lots of diversity without, say, compromising that diversity. Thus, intolerance for irrational/intolerant and harmful words/actions.

If you were just bothering someone who, say, has rascist views but doesn't act on them and keeps their views to themselves around those they'd be offending, well, then you'd be hypocritical, yes.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

This is a question that has interested me for sometime. I have no clear answer.

Is it consistent with being "tolerant" to agree that hatred is a good thing?

Being somehow "tolerant" of intolerance would be tantamount to agreeing that hatred is a good thing, methinks. That would be the real hypocrisy.

Now, is it better to be "patient" with intolerance? Sure...because through patience and love it's possiblt that intolerance can be changed to tolerance, acceptance and love.

I kinda figured that's why Jesus said the thing about loving those that hate you, yes?

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

This is a question that has interested me for sometime. I have no clear answer.

Being intolerant towards intolerance is no more hypocritical than being peaceful while putting up a strong defense when oneself is attacked or an innocent person is attacked.

Unprovoked intolerance of individuals and groups is much akin to an unprovoked attack on them. To defend that individual or group, whether one is a member of the group or not, is much akin to defending oneself or someone else who's being attacked for no just cause.

How is that hypocritical? Is it hypocritical merely because you say to others that you believe in tolerance, but then defend yourself or others against intolerance? If that's so, then all defenses are hypocrital for peace loving people. And if that's hypocritical, then so be it.

[SunMessenger]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

This is a question that has interested me for sometime. I have no clear answer.

Hypocrisy is saying one thing and doing another. Usually the opposite of what you preach. One may get impatient of certain intolerance but I do not believe one can be intolerant of intolerance. Seems a bit redundant. Thank You...

[evearael]

From Wiki:

Intolerance is the lack of ability or willingness to tolerate something.

Tolerance is a social, cultural and religious term applied to the collective and individual practice of not persecuting those who may believe, behave or act in ways of which one may not approve.

I will not tolerate sex offenders and abusers of all stripes. I will not seek them out to harm them, but I certainly will not allow them in the prescence of myself and my family, I will certainly inform the police and protect those victimized, and I will certainly boycott their businesses and encourage others to do the same. If that makes me a hypocrite, so be it.

[SunMessenger]

Originally Posted by evearael

From Wiki:


I will not tolerate sex offenders and abusers of all stripes. I will not seek them out to harm them, but I certainly will not allow them in the prescence of myself and my family, I will certainly inform the police and protect those victimized, and I will certainly boycott their businesses and encourage others to do the same. If that makes me a hypocrite, so be it.

You are not a hypocrite because you would defend yourself and not wish to promote someone who is harming others. No. Not at all. Your own statement, that you would not seek them to cause harm, made that very clear. Jesus taught us to forgive not to be short sighted and walk into harm unnecessarily. One who acts hypocritically would preach peace with a gun cocked to our head . Quite a big difference.