Radical Tolerance

October 22, 2010 by Star Foster

Continued from Page 1

In such a diverse community you should expect people to have differing perspectives, experiences, and traditions. You certainly shouldn't expect all Pagans to be the same. I enjoy Janet and Stewart Farrar's work even though I disagree with some of their statements regarding homosexuality. Sometimes Scott Cunningham and Christopher Penczak make me scratch my head, but I don't revile them for having different ideas from me. It's not the Farrars', Cunningham's, or Penczak's job to conform to me or to anyone else.

Practicing tolerance in its most logical and practical form is a radical thing. It restricts me in ways I never considered and has spurred me to defend things I never imagined defending. It has made me sensitive to other people's practices, religious beliefs, and spiritual culture in a way I never anticipated. It's made me unsympathetic to people whose version of tolerance requires others to conform to them, who insist no controversial or unorthodox views be aired. To paraphrase Voltaire, I may not agree with your beliefs or practices, but I will defend unto death your right to believe and practice them.

Surprisingly, it's brought me into heated conversations with fellow Pagans far more often than with people of other faiths. It is far less common for me to hear someone of another faith brand our religions as "wrong" than to hear one Pagan tell another their beliefs are "wrong." This sort of divisive behavior is unworthy of our movement. Rather than take our cues from Mr. Kirsch and use "tolerance" as a sword, let us defend our diversity and take up the shield of radical tolerance.

Page: 2 of 2

10/22/2010 4:00:00 AM

Pagan

Diversity

Interfaith Dialogue

Tolerance

Paganism

more at patheos

How 'Cultural Christianity' Weaponizes Faith for Politics

Duncan Pile

'Adore Him: He Is Here': On the Red Carpet for Adoration Doc

Kate O'Hare

Practicing Peace Over Chaos In The Church

Michele Howe

Chess Grifters, Chinese Rooms, and AI

Tom Swiss

About Star Foster

A hopeless movie junkie, Star Foster believes that good movies are the mythic narratives of our times.

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos