The problem is that tolerant has changed its meaning. It…
“The problem is that tolerant has changed its meaning. It used to mean 'I may disagree with you completely, but I will treat you with respect. Today, tolerant means - 'you must approve of everything I do.' There's a difference between tolerance and approval. Jesus accepted everyone no matter who they were. He doesn't approve of everything I do, or you do, or anybody else does either. You can be accepting without being approving.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Tolerance has shifted from respectful disagreement to demanding approval, confusing acceptance with endorsement.
In simple terms: Tolerance now means approval, not just respect.
Distinguish respect from approval.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- interpersonal conflict
- public discourse
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we respect differing views without endorsing them?
- What boundaries separate acceptance from approval?
People may misuse tolerance to suppress dissent.