Toleration And The Intolerant
At the best of times I’m fairly easy and tolerant but I cannot tolerate the intolerant. I don’t think they deserve to be tolerated if they cannot tolerate those who have different views or believes.
This include
• religious groups who believe they have the only key to heaven and that they can kill all those who differ from them,
• political groups who believe that they have the right to force their will on the people and the right to kill their opponents,
• pressure groups like eco-terrorist, who believe that they are on a crusade to save the world and that their goals justify their methods,
• and individuals who think that their opinions are paramount; opinions often based on garbage fed to them by sensation seeking news media while they think that those (often more knowledgeable) who differ from them are fools.
It is the last category that irritates me most. They often shoot their mouths off about something happening on the other side of the world while they seldom understand the real situation.
As an example let’s look at the death penalty. It is all too obvious that the people in Sweden will have different views on it than those in South Africa. After all, they have very few murders and it is not a big issue. However, when fifty people in your country are murdered every day and about the same number survives attempted murders, it is a different matter. And if you have lost a parent, sibling or a child to a murder, it becomes a sore point.
But that was just an example; I could just as easily have used an example like food production, illegal immigrants, hunting, racial issues, or terrorism. We all have different views on it and even when we do agree, it is to varying degrees. When the problem is far away you think about it differently than when it is close to home.
And it pisses me off even more when people shoot their mouths off about the history of another countries while their own histories are written with blood and the very things that they rant about still prevails around them every day. But they don’t notice that, do they? It is more convenient to rave about the sins of others in order to justify or ignore the shìt (and the buried skeletons) in their own backyard. And if you dare to say something about their countries, they are ready to start another crusade to the holy land.
What I’m trying to say is that we cannot condemn somebody for having a different view while we don’t understand why he has that view. Everybody have different views but the opinion that is based on hands-on experience is normally the more accurate. What you hear or read or see on the TV is usually what somebody else wants you to believe, not necessarily the whole truth and often exaggerated and/or spiced with lies for the sake of sensation.
Don't let this worry you; I'm just venting.
Comments (57)
I don't expect a massive radioactive fall-out. I have watered it down since writing it on Sunday.
i think not. That was suspension material.
I am willing to hear and listen to most points of views, but if those views are based on hatred or intolerance or blind ignorance, I don't give them the time of day. Don't get me started on those who put the supernatural before humanity....
Everybody has views of other countries as well as their own. Sometimes it can be a more objective view than that of the person living in the country. Nobody likes their own country being dissected negatively by an outsider. But sometimes it is good to listen, as we don't always see things as objectively as outsiders.
Thanks, great to see you as well!!
That has all gone down the drain but as I said, that was just an example. Well, I suppose the death penalty is controversial. look at the USA. In some states they have it and in others they don't, but they're not fighting each other about it. They accept their different views on the matter. That is what I'm talking about. Tolerating the views and habits that differs from your own.
I don't know. I don't really bother if somebody criticizes my country as long as it is true. I do it myself . I openly admit that things here is as bad as it can get; or can it get worse? probably yes.
Once again, I'm not specifically talking about South-Africa. I just used the death penalty and our country as an example. My dislike for seal clubbing in Canada can be another example. Note I said a dislike not a hate. Seals are a protected species in South Africa but they are probably a pestilence in Canada. I don't say it is right but I cannot condemn them outright just because I don't agree with it. It is the same with using mercenaries or repatriating illegal immigrants. Those countries may have reasons for what they're doing.
We may question them but we cannot condemn them without knowing those reasons.
That's the key, to try to improve things at a low level if we cannot bring about a major change, but intolerance is not going to be of assistance. We need to understand each other better.
Incidentally, your country is making some big changes in our country. They are building hundreds if not thousands of houses for the poor.
Nice houses, not the matchboxes that our government is building. and almost every project terminates prematurely due a lack of funding.
I know he builds houses in SA with the help of volunteers who go over for a few weeks at a time.
I not sure exactly who it is; When I go that way again I will look out to see who it is, I only saw the banners on the signs and it said something to the effect of "The Irish Government At Work In SA" but they're smart two bedroomed houses with tiled roofs and solar hot water cylinders.
The stuff that the ANC builds have no inside walls except for the bathroom, no bath and no washup in the kitchen area. Only a cold water tap in the kitchen part and only a toilet in the bathroom. And they are tiny, outside measurements probably 4.5 m X 4.5 M. . Some of them have up to 8 or 9 people living in there.
Funny, the poorer the family, the more children the have and then sometimes they have a brother , sister and/or a grandparent living there as well.
It is normal in every country that the poorest have the most children. It is nature's way of ensuring survival. As living conditions improve, mortality levels improve, and people feel a sense of security, then family sizes gradually decrease.
Ah, does that explain why I have only two daughters and they have only one child each
I have opinions and views just like anyone else but I try to stay open minded about it. there is enough problems in every country mine included.
I recently in a comment said I don't debate the Bible cause I have my believes and try very hard to respect others believe. I don't like when people have a opinion and voice them out loud with out full knowledge of all the facts.
I try to stay neutral. but sometimes have a problem with this but still try to avoid any personal attacks.
Great Blog my friend
Oh dear, that venting story was a spoof on you!!!
But this blog did not take the direction that I wanted. I did not have politics or religion in mind. I just mentioned them as part of the problem.Luckily the Clergy and Green Peace were not aroused.
I was really hoping to address the smaller private issues; like food production, illegal immigrants, hunting and so forth. You know like people who refuse to eat meat because of the way the animals are treated.
By the way, I also think it is a disgrace the way that chickens are raised. Some of only see the light of day on the day that they were hatched and will not see it again until the day when they are slaughtered; cropped up in sheds with no room to move.
Luckily I'm not that fond of poultry and as a result I very seldom buy it. The only times I eat chicken is when I'm a guest and there is no other meat on the table. Mind you, I buy KFC two or three times a year and only if the person with me at the time requests it.
We don't really have a large choice. There is one other chain in SA but In don't like their product. I guess in the end they are all alike in their methods towards producing chickens,
I rarely buy fastfood anyway. I prefer to cook myself and know the source of what goes into it.
i normally have takeaways on a Friday. the normal thing is fish, burgers, hot dogs, curry & rice, or Chinese. As it is Yorkie requested KFC last week but she learn since that I'm not fond of chicken so it won't happen again too soon.
Hello Catfoot
I was just joking there!
I am not allergic to anything, thankfully!
Well, maybe just the vacuum cleaner. Oh! And the chopping board...You heard that, Arty?
what's the time there? Are you getting up now?
Lactose you say. I hope that never happens to me. I love milk. In my tea, in my coffee,, on my porridge, Milo, Cacao, Horliks what even or just a glass of cold milk. Full cream of course. I cannot imagine going without milk.
I was actually feeling sorry for you!
We'll still raid you as well.
you must not let Arty hear things like that. Those are the things that cause men to run for the hills.
I might just take the next flight to Cork
I might be a horrible cook, a terrible housekeeper and miserable in ironing but Arty said that he loves MiMi for her other 'attributes'
It took quite a few seconds before I realized what's wrong with
thatyour foot. Shame! how did it happen.