When I first heard the phrase 'intolerant of the intolerant', I was fascinated at having found a phrase to describe people that were… well, intolerant of those who were not tolerant. By being intolerant of the intolerant, they became the very thing they were fighting against. Being in India, which is a secular country, tolerance is a highly appreciated trait. I guess it is the same in many other places as well.
It is amazing, however, how we become intolerant of those who do not hold the same views us - even if it is views on tolerance...
The reason I am revisiting this whole thing is, I am struggling with intolerance towards those who do not think like me; who are not being broad-minded (as per my definition), kind, socially-minded, proud (to the extent of looking down on others), and on and on… I have become intolerant and unkind towards them, and proud of the fact that I am not like them. I am doing the very thing that I do not want others to do; I am being the very thing that I do not want to be.
Is this another period of struggle in my life where I am exposed to myself? A kind of a coming face to face with oneself? It is yet again time to rely on His grace, to allow Him to break me and make me... Yet again... It is not easy. But I do hope I would emerge reflecting Him a little better...
12 comments:
ur either watching lewd hoardings on the road or ur end up writing profound things like these :p
u need bacardi limon in apple juice !
his grace is sufficient for you :)
will keep you in prayers..
I catch myself being intolerant of others who call themselves Buddhist and are intolerant. It's really a mental mobius strip, isn't it?
:)
Mystery
www.shotinthedarkmysteries.com
Mahathma - I try. I really do...
Mandy - Thanks, girl. Appreciate your prayers.
Mystery Maiden - Ah. Welcome to the club. Thanks for dropping by. :)
Good point. I enjoyed this post--even though I saw myself in it! When a local church displayed an outburst of intolerance, a friend and I thought a Blessing of the Bigots might be just the thing. But who would come? We'd be there, but....
Intolerant of the intolerant...
That is the definition for self loathing if I've ever heard it.
For what it's worth the mere fact that you are questioning it suggests tolerance...
Sandy - Blessing them is a good idea. Perhaps, i will try that the next i feel a surge of intolerance. I would join you guys if i were there...
JS - Self-loathing? How so? Is it that when we becoming intolerant of the intolerant, we are also being intolerant with ourselves? Interesting. Never thought of it this way.
And regarding me being tolerant, i hope i am... Thanks. :)
Is tolerance getting a bit too over-rated? :p I see your point. I don't think I could ever tolerate peeing on the walls, spitting on the roads, loud processions or driving like monkeys on a vespa. However, those are things I don't see myself doing. I don't pay too much attention to intolerance but I suppose I would if someone were intolerant of me.
I do think that tolerance is indeed over-rated. Tolerance as an ideology is so exalted that if someone is not tolerant, they are not tolerated.
Besides, i think i was referring more to the tolerance of the intangible things like traits, characters and ideas. Lately, i have been very intolerant of some people and what they think about certain people group. This post is a result of that.
I cannot tolerate the noise outside your house as well!
And i am glad that you did not mention hondas or activas...
woohoo!!! loving the new look
Thanks for giving me something to think about. This is an interesting thread.
I do the same thing in certain areas (racism especially) and thinking of it from this perspective is a little hard to swallow!
Ninja - Gee, thanks!
Julie - It is tough, isn't it?
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