Belief Or Intolerance ?

[modeller]

Are intolerant people strong believers.?
Are strong believers intolerant.?

I'm not thinking of any particular belief, be it political, religious, or a particular cause.

I know several people with very strong views on their particular subjects and they also seem to be lacking in empathy across the board.

[ludwig]

I think the stronger your belief in the righteousness of your own views, then the greater your rejection of any other view that differs from them.

That doesn't necessarily amount to intolerance. I think it's only intolerance if you actively seek to change others beliefs to match your own, or discriminate against the people that hold them.

If you're happy for people to believe what they want however stupid it seems to you, it's not intolerant.

[missnemesis]

One does not necessarily equal the other IMO. Everyone is capable of displaying intolerance, whether they be strong believers or not.

[mikey4444]

Of course we should be tolerant. I am not a Christian but I seem to remember from my childhood, being brought up as a Catholic, that tolerance is a good thing. You know, turning the other cheek and all that.

It wasn't terribly strong about tolerance towards Protestants though !

[naomi24]

I've met a lot of intolerant people who don't appear to have thought about anything much at all.

[ludwig]

// Of course we should be tolerant //

Not always. For example we shouldn't tolerate racism or cruelty.

[mikey4444]

Of course ludwig...goes without saying !

[modeller]

//I've met a lot of intolerant people who don't appear to have thought about anything much at all. //
I think that is true but I have found them to be self centered ,which I suppose is a strong belief in themslves.

[modeller]

//If you're happy for people to believe what they want however stupid it seems to you, it's not intolerant. //

I don't know if that's true with strong believers . Are they happy that someone totally disagrees with everything they passionatly believe in.

Tolerance requires a level of acceptance and that seems to lacking in very strong believers.

[naomi24]

Oh, I don't know. Most of the religious on here seem to tolerate one another well enough - regardless of their individual beliefs - but perhaps that's just on here. ;o)

[ludwig]

// Of course ludwig...goes without saying ! //

Actually it does need saying. We're expected to be tolerant and respectful of just about every belief and point of view, but not everything deserves tolerance and respect.

[jim360]

We all have our own intolerances. My own is of people who take the idea that Science doesn't know all the answers (correct) to mean that they can justify all sorts of weird and completely nonsensical ideas about how the world works. Two examples that spring to mind immediately are homeopathy (it's just water or sugar, people!) and Young-Earth Creationism. Well, Creationism of any form really, but particularly that which requires the World, and the Universe, to be young. Nothing supports it at all.

In general I try to be tolerant or respectful of people's opinions if (I think) there is any scope for doubt, and perhaps am too tolerant of some views as a result and not tolerant enough of others. I don't think I get the balance right but hopefully I will eventually.

[tiggerblue10]

I have very strong views on religion and over the years have become quite intolerant but I tend to keep my views to myself.

[New Judge]

I have strong beliefs on a number of matters (none of them religious) but I am fairly tolerant of other people’s opinions. I’m also quite tolerant of their actions and activities provided they do not affect me or my family, I do not have to watch them and I do not have to pay for them. Unfortunately most activities that other people do undertake influence me in one of those three ways and that gives the impression that I am intolerant. But I’m not.

[wildwood]

^^ I'm with the judge!

[modeller]

We all know a number of ABers who's monosyllabic posts indicate a blinkered attitude (None of whom have responded to this thread.)
but what is interesting their views are largely ignored.

I find this is the case in everyday life , why waste time even engaging in
normal chit chat , when you know they will always give it their belief based twist.