Columnist misstates meaning of tolerance

In response to Matt Poston's "Nation's diversity deserves respect" column I believe the author is misrepresenting what it means to be tolerant of other people's views and beliefs. Of course people need to respect each other. People need to be tolerant. However, I believe that there is a misguided concept of what tolerance is. Tolerance by definition means that I put up with the error in another person's argument. People don't tolerate what they approve of. So to be tolerant means that I must know what the truth is and at the same time respect the right of someone else to be in error. Being tolerant does not mean that I have to accept all viewpoints as being equally valid as the author seems to suggest. It is not logical to accept all viewpoints as being equally true. An atheist and a Christian can disagree while maintaining respect for each other. What they cannot do is both be right. Either God exists or He doesn't. There is no room for both to be right and still stand the test of logic. One other quick observation — Mr. Poston admonishes his readers not to "think that it's your duty to persuade others to believe in something in which you believe." I'm curious what the author thinks he is doing? If the author really believes that truth is relative to the individual, it seems strange to me that he would place that expectation on anyone but himself.

Mike Carl

Senior, School of Technology

Creative activities diminish boredom

Lying damages relationships in classroom

Focus on road rage fails to explain motive

Columnist misstates meaning of tolerance

Subtle messages need careful consideration

OPINIONS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 256

Opinions editor:
Tom McHenry

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org

Online Columnist Archive