Would someone please explain the meaning of the word "intolerant"? As I grow older, and my lexicon collects the dust of years gone by, I sometimes find myself struggling to piecemeal words into anything that resembles a clear thought. Like the gears of a rusted transmission, my mind can get locked into a position, preventing me from moving any further than I have already gone. Today, the word I am stuck on is "intolerant". It seems as though the word of the day is increasingly used as a blunt object; meant to bludgeon those that hold an opposing view of a topic. Meanwhile, those that employ the tactic of labeling someone as "intolerant", appear to be "intolerant" of the person with the opposing view. I find this confusing. Please bear with me as I try to wrap my mind around this conundrum. Suppose a person were to state that they did not support gay marriage; the recoil and gasps would rival those of any circus side show. This person would indeed be labeled "intolerant", and the vitriol spewed forth in his direction would be used to paint a portrait of a person that is out of touch with his community. Or, is this person still a member of the community at this point? Excommunicated for communicating a personal belief perhaps. What are the criterion of intolerance? How would one be able to craft a personal opinion, without playing the role of being "intolerant"? Would a person be better served if he were spineless like a jellyfish, being pushed along to and fro, all the while riding the current of public opinion to acceptance? Not likely I think. I find myself in a predicament. On the one hand, I want to accept those with differing tastes and opinions; while on the other, I try not to suffer the impatience of those that would wield the hammer of intolerance. Thus making me intolerant. Perhaps being "intolerant" is in my nature...how can I tolerate that?
Posted on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 12:38:53 +0000