Tim Tebow and his mom are doing a pro-life commercial that will be aired during the Super Bow. Apparently many pro-choice groups are upset about this and want CBS to refuse to air it. There is much that can be said about the contradiction of those who are for choice, but don’t want people to hear both sides of the argument (in order to make a choice!). Zach Nielsen had some really helpful thoughts regarding this and the wider issue of “tolerance”. He writes:
Just as an aside, would you please please please join me in advocating for the complete stoppage of all the “tolerance” talk. Tolerance is not the issue and it never has been. If anyone tells you to stop being “intolerant”, or that you should be more tolerant because of a view that you hold, just suggest something like this:
“Why are you asking me to be more tolerant? That in itself is not very tolerant. If you were really consistent in your view of tolerance you would accept ALL views, including mine, as valuable. But we both know that is impossible. No one wants to be “tolerant” of Hitler and his views on the Jews. So we both know that real tolerance is an impossibility.
Let’s just get down to what really is going on here. We both disagree about something. I think I am right, and you think you are right. Most likely, we both can’t be right. Do you think we can give reasons for or against our beliefs and not kill each other? I do. So why don’t we cease with all the “tolerance” talk that really doesn’t get either of us anywhere and give reasons for why we believe what we believe. That way, maybe we can find out what is really true. Peace-loving truth is what matters here much more than tolerance.”
I agree. Those who scream for tolerance are the very ones who want me to shut up, therefore denying me the tolerance they advocate. It’s an impossible situation. It’s best if we just eliminate the idea of tolerance and move on with our opinions and beliefs.