The Intolerance of Today's Tolerance and the Right of Association

Cultural and Social Incongruities ^ | 2-4-13

[ReformationFan]

At a local library a small group of individuals meet on a monthly basis to discuss Russian literature. Over the past ten years they've discussed every author from Pushkin to Dostoyevsky to Tolstoy. At the upcoming meeting they plan to discuss one or two twentieth century Soviet authors. When the date of the meeting rolls around, they find two new people there to participate in the meeting. In short order they learn that these two new participants have no love for Russian authors. In fact, they are two Estonian nationalists that hate everything Russian. They are at the meeting only to discuss the negative impact of Russian imperialism and will not allow anyone to say anything positive about Russian culture.

Another scenario. A chess club meets at the nearby high school once a week to play chess. As part of their meetings they discuss strategy, history and play matches to sharpen their skills. One day they receive a letter from members of the local checkers club demanding that they be allowed to be members of the chess club with the provision that the club must discuss and play checkers at least twice a month during their meetings.

Imagine a local group of nature worshippers who value the power of the earth, environmental issues, veganism, and homeopathic remedies to illness. A local butcher shows up and demands that he be granted membership and access to their daily worship rituals. Each day that he shows up he smells like fried bacon and talks about the wonderful taste of a good t-bone, encouraging others to try some of his wares.

[ReformationFan]

"If you have to force someone to like you and accept you, it's likely that they will do neither."

Exactly.

[Excellence]

Humblegunner in 5...4...3...2...1...