Magic Words: Tolerance

The Meaning of "Tolerance" Has Shifted to Try to Force Acceptance

Previously, we looked at the notion of “Magic Words:” words which have been imbued with a magical-type power to change the course of conversations and even thinking. The postmodern movement argued that words have no intrinsic meaning and are just masks for power. It should not surprise us that those who thought in this way would then start to use words as a means of power and control over thought. I have dubbed the words they use to form discourse to be “Magic Words.” The first Magic Word I looked at was “Gay,” then I looked at “Progress” and “Change,” then “Phobia,” and last time, “Green.”

Now we will look at another word that has taken on a new meaning, “Tolerance.” 

“Tolerance,” as Traditionally Understood

Historically, “tolerance” referred to putting up with something that you don’t like.  We still use it this way when we talk about one’s pain tolerance.  Obviously, only a masochist likes pain, so talk about tolerating pain means to put up with something unpleasant.

Likewise, to speak of tolerance in a more social setting meant to allow or put up with something that you do not like or approve of.  So, you might tolerate that crazy relative at family gatherings, but this doesn’t mean you like their rudeness and brashness.  In a broader sense, to tolerate something meant to allow it in society.

This is a part of the understanding of free speech.  We have heard many talk about how they may not agree with you but would defend your right to say it.  A perfect example of this was the 1977 Supreme Court case National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie.  In that case, the ACLU defended the American Nazis’ right to hold rallies and speak publicly, but it is safe to say that the leadership of the ACLU completely disagreed with what the Nazi’s stood for and were saying.  The principle was that in a free society, we should tolerate people saying even the most despicable things.  Behind this is the belief that given the free exercise of ideas, horrible ideas, like those of racists, will be proven to be wrong.

“Positive Tolerance”

Many people still understand the word “tolerance” in this way, but for many postmodern thinkers, there has been a distinct change.  Within this change, they developed the twin notions of “negative tolerance” and “positive tolerance.”  “Negative tolerance” is the historical meaning of putting up with something that you do not like or agree with.  This now has been termed as negative, and, therefore, an inferior form of tolerance. 

Contrasting with this is the notion of “positive tolerance.”  “Positive tolerance” means not only to put up with something, but also to affirm it.  Now postmodern speakers tend to use “tolerance” to mean this positive affirmation, which is really a complete reversal of what “tolerance” used to mean.  With this, there is now an expectation, and often demand, that one must affirm the position that is being put forward even if you actually disagree with it.

This ultimately led to a form of bait and switch.  Many have observed how the appeals for tolerance have shifted from allowing to accepting to celebrating lifestyles that had been considered to be sinful and unhealthy.  One of the things that really was behind this was the shifting meaning of “tolerance.”

Don’t Be Intolerant

Using two different definitions of “tolerance” has led not only to misunderstanding, but even to a form of manipulation.  What happened was something of moving the goalposts.  First, there was the call to be tolerant of those with whom the majority disagreed.  This included to be tolerant of Marxists in academia as well as tolerance of homosexuality.  In the realm of sexual morality, this started as legalizing homosexual practices and allowing people to be “out.” 

For most people, this is what they expected when they were asked to be tolerant.  Then the definition shifted to “positive tolerance” with the expectation that others should be supported and even celebrated.  This can be seen in “Pride” parades as well as legalizing homosexual marriage.  Suddenly, those who thought they were being tolerant by not persecuting those with different sexual lifestyles found themselves being sued for not supporting homosexuality through the baking of cakes, renting of spaces and the like.  Even Christian organizations have been targeted with lawsuits.

However, most have not faced legal pressure.  Rather, there is the subtle pressure that is imposed by the language.  No decent, caring person wants to be intolerant, so the charge of intolerance cuts deep.  Through this, “tolerance” has become a magic word that shames those who do not get on the latest bandwagon.  This, however, snuck up on most people because most had never heard the idea of “positive tolerance.”  As a result, many have been shamed into submission without realizing the meaning of “tolerance” had been changed on them.

The Tolerant Church

Even within the Christian Church, the push for positive tolerance has been in full swing.  It surprised no one that the liberal church bodies quickly got on board with this move.  However, this has also spread to otherwise conservative churches.  For some, the favorite Bible passage that is quoted in this regard is Matt 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.”  The argument being made is that it is wrong to judge or disagree with someone else’s choices. 

The problem with this thinking is that it is not biblical.  It takes Matt 7:1 out of context; by verse 6 of Matt 7, Jesus then said, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you,” which clearly calls for discerning if someone is seeking holiness or not.  Likewise, the countless times the Bible teaches morality makes it clear that the Church should distinguish what is good from what is sinful.  In 1 Cor 5 Paul calls for the expulsion, or excommunication, of a church member who is sexually immoral.

All too often, the call for tolerance, by which many mean “positive tolerance,” is really a call to set aside traditional, biblical morality and celebrate whatever someone else has been doing.  By using this redefined definition of “tolerance,” they tend to browbeat those who disagree.