tolerance does not equate with being a doormat.

[kuangning]

The single most beautiful thing I've seen today. Scalzi is my hero for the week -- nay, the next *month*. Because you don't have to suffer fools gladly to be generally tolerant and respectful of others' beliefs.

Comments

Hmmm

[rare.livejournal.com]

I think it's more personal than that. Isn't it normal to pick out specific things that mean something in your context? I guess I'm too wrapped up in myself to sit back and be tolerant. Thankfully I usually have enough tact to keep it to myself… usually…

Re: Hmmm

[kuangning]

It may be normal to do otherwise, but it's perfectly acceptable for him to be inclusive of other belief systems while he's teaching his daughter that he doesn't subscribe to any of them. Evangelistic atheists scare me -- the lot who believe that just because you don't loudly decry and demonise belief in a deity or deities you can't be a "real atheist".

I, personally, believe in God. That doesn't mean I don't know about and wouldn't tell my children about other religions. Douens come out of the mythology of the culture I grew up in, for instance. I know a few things about voodooism, Judaism, Wicca, Buddhism ... why wouldn't I include those when educating my children?

And, actually, if the context he's coming from is "I don't personally believe in any of these, but if you adhere to the message of love and caring at the core of most of them without picking up the biases of their followers you'll be a human being I can be proud of", then it's easy and natural to include them all.

Yeah

[rare.livejournal.com]

It really is mature/secure to be able to do all this. But I still wonder at the point. I mean, if you're that flexible and tolerant then you just need to extend that a little bit. Expand your thinking to a point where none of it really matters. You don't have to call yourself anything. Personally, I think that's the pinnacle of wisdom: freedom from labels and complete acceptance.

Sorry. Really getting distracted here. You are very right though… his perspective and open-mindedness at very worthy of a "hero" title. =)