--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: These days, though, tolerance means that…" description: "\"“These days, though, tolerance means that you accept the other person's views as being true or legitimate. If you claim that someone is wrong, you can ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/paul-copan-38798_beliefs_these-days-though-tolerance-means-that-y_413095.png" --- # These days, though, tolerance means that you accept the… ![“These days, though, tolerance means that you accept the other person's views as being true or legitimate. If you claim that someone is wrong, you can get accused of being intolerant--even though, ironically, the person making the charge of intolerance isn't being accepting of your beliefs.” quote by Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/paul-copan-38798_beliefs_these-days-though-tolerance-means-that-y_413095.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/paul-copan-38798_beliefs_these-days-though-tolerance-means-that-y_413095.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/paul-copan-38798_beliefs_these-days-though-tolerance-means-that-y_413095.png) > ““These days, though, tolerance means that you accept the other person's views as being true or legitimate. If you claim that someone is wrong, you can get accused of being intolerant--even though, ironically, the person making the charge of intolerance isn't being accepting of your beliefs.”” [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern tolerance often conflates acceptance of differing opinions with endorsing them, leading to accusations of intolerance when challenging beliefs, which paradoxically undermines true openness. **In simple terms:** Tolerance should allow disagreement without labeling it intolerance. Key Takeaway Distinguish between respecting a view and endorsing it. Themes tolerance dialogue paradox Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - political debate - education - interpersonal conflict Key Concepts free speech social norms Questions to Reflect On - How can we foster genuine openness? - What limits should tolerance have? A Different Perspective Tolerance can be misused to silence critique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting Beliefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting-beliefs-3678319/) [Beliefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beliefs/) [Intolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance/) [Intolerance Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance-isn-232605/) [Intolerant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerant/) [Tolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerance/) [Tolerance Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerance-means-250343/) ## Related quotes > [Multiculturalism is social poison. Toleration of intolerance isn't sophistication. It's suicide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kelly/multiculturalism-is-social-poison-toleration-of-intolerance-isn-t/) [Jack Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kelly/) > [If we want to cultivate a true spirit of democracy we cannot afford to be intolerant. Intolerance betrays want of faith in one's cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/if-we-want-to-cultivate-a-true-spirit-of-democracy-we-cannot-afford/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“Of course, everyone is intolerant of something or someone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/of-course-everyone-is-intolerant-of-something-or-someone/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [“Hate is the flawless boomerang. The harder I throw it, the harder it comes back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/hate-is-the-flawless-boomerang-the-harder-i-throw-it-the-harder-it/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [We create hate because we choose to be intolerant over acceptance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-bailey/we-create-hate-because-we-choose-to-be-intolerant-over-acceptance/) [Megan Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-bailey/) > [“Tolerance is an attitude of reasoned patience toward evil … a forbearance that restrains us from showing anger or inflicting punishment. Tolerance applies only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/tolerance-is-an-attitude-of-reasoned-patience-toward-evil-a/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-popper/we-should-therefore-claim-in-the-name-of-tolerance-the-right-not-to-2/) [Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-popper/) > [Tolerance means patience and respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shubhi-sharma/tolerance-means-patience-and-respect/) [Shubhi Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shubhi-sharma/) > [For the Left, tolerance does not mean tolerance. It means first, acceptance. And second, celebration. That is totalitarianism: You not only have to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/for-the-left-tolerance-does-not-mean-tolerance-it-means-first/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [What does the gay movement mean when it says tolerance?...It means absolutely unconditionally accepting it as perfectly normal, healthy, natural and something that should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lively/what-does-the-gay-movement-mean-when-it-says-tolerance-it-means/) [Scott Lively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lively/) > [“Tolerance means to have the heart open to all differences; it is the honorable attitude of receiving another's opinion in order to appreciate it;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-joaqu-n/tolerance-means-to-have-the-heart-open-to-all-differences-it-is-the/) [Nick Joaquín](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-joaqu-n/) > [Tolerance means to fix our mind, to fix our words, & our actions on a higher principle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/tolerance-means-to-fix-our-mind-to-fix-our-words-our-actions-on-a/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [“Tolerance doesn’t mean to accept, believe, understand, agree or ignore. Tolerance means yielding to beliefs that are not your own without judgement or condemnation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-toni-graham/tolerance-doesn-t-mean-to-accept-believe-understand-agree-or-ignore/) [C. Toni Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-toni-graham/) > [“Tolerance means weakness,” Eicke wrote in the introduction to his rules. “In the light of this conception, punishment will be mercilessly handed out whenever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-larson/tolerance-means-weakness-eicke-wrote-in-the-introduction-to-his-rules/) [Erik Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-larson/) > [Genuine tolerance does not mean ignoring differences as if differences made no difference. Genuine tolerance means engaging differences within a bond of civility and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-john-neuhaus/genuine-tolerance-does-not-mean-ignoring-differences-as-if/) [Richard John Neuhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-john-neuhaus/) ## More by Paul Copan > [Atheist’s denial of God’s existence needs just as much substantiation as does the theist’s claim; the atheist must give plausible reasons for rejecting God’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/atheist-s-denial-of-god-s-existence-needs-just-as-much-substantiation/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [If writing with a goal - whether it be evangelistic, apologetic, or didactic - implies propaganda, then all recorded history is propaganda. . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/if-writing-with-a-goal-whether-it-be-evangelistic-apologetic-or/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [“Serious circumstances remind us that the difficulty of finding the truth is no excuse for not looking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/serious-circumstances-remind-us-that-the-difficulty-of-finding-the/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [At any rate, if evolution turns out to be true, then the Christian should embrace it as one dedicated to following the truth wherever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/at-any-rate-if-evolution-turns-out-to-be-true-then-the-christian/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [“In the words of human rights scholar Max Stackhouse, “Intellectual honesty demands recognition of the fact that what passes as ‘secular,’ ‘Western’ principles of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/in-the-words-of-human-rights-scholar-max-stackhouse-intellectual/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [“Notice how atheists who believe in real right and wrong make a massive intellectual leap of faith. They believe that somehow moral facts were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/notice-how-atheists-who-believe-in-real-right-and-wrong-make-a/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [The scriptures are basically a narrative of God's interaction with human kind. If we lose this notion of God's desire for relationship with human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/the-scriptures-are-basically-a-narrative-of-god-s-interaction-with/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [On closer inspection, the hero status accorded to Abraham, Moses and David in the Old Testament (and echoed in the New Testament) is rooted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/on-closer-inspection-the-hero-status-accorded-to-abraham-moses-and/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [Today religion is increasingly pushed aside by secularizing influences such as the university, the media, and politics. Rather than having a major voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/today-religion-is-increasingly-pushed-aside-by-secularizing/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [“This important theme of Abraham’s deep trust in God’s promise and faithfulness helped shape Israel’s own self-understanding and identity. So it’s not surprising to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/this-important-theme-of-abraham-s-deep-trust-in-god-s-promise-and/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) [Explore all 11 Paul Copan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) ## More Beliefs quotes > [People always wonder when the world is going to end. I believe that the world will end when everyone stops loving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nichole-fickes/people-always-wonder-when-the-world-is-going-to-end-i-believe-that/) [Nichole Fickes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nichole-fickes/) > [“Your life is your statement to the world representing your values, your beliefs, your dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-arenson/your-life-is-your-statement-to-the-world-representing-your-values/) [David Arenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-arenson/) > [Our beliefs are like the unquestioned commands, telling us how things are, what's possible and what's impossible, what we can and can not do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/our-beliefs-are-like-the-unquestioned-commands-telling-us-how-things/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [“Update your belief! If necessary, throw it to the bin! Don’t exaggerate your belief! Remember that your belief is not that much important; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/update-your-belief-if-necessary-throw-it-to-the-bin-don-t-exaggerate/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I do believe in love at first sight. I believe in a lot of thing. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-do-believe-in-love-at-first-sight-i-believe-in-a-lot-of-thing-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My parents were, had a marriage of passion, and the passion was about their religious beliefs. They were both immigrant families that - well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-jackson/my-parents-were-had-a-marriage-of-passion-and-the-passion-was-about/) [Phil Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-jackson/) > [I believe in my Mormon faith, and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers - I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-believe-in-my-mormon-faith-and-i-endeavor-to-live-by-it-my-faith-is/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [The first principle of cognitive therapy is that all your moods are created by your 'cognitions,' or thoughts. A cognition refers to the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/the-first-principle-of-cognitive-therapy-is-that-all-your-moods-are/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“What is held real is based upon personal beliefs that drive perception.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/what-is-held-real-is-based-upon-personal-beliefs-that-drive-perception/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [I want everybody to worship the God of love instead of worshipping the God of hate and torture. But in the meantime, we don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mosab-hassan-yousef/i-want-everybody-to-worship-the-god-of-love-instead-of-worshipping/) [Mosab Hassan Yousef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mosab-hassan-yousef/) > [“As you travel along the roads in life, there is a certain kind of peace that comes with knowing you're on the right path.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amaka-nkosazana/as-you-travel-along-the-roads-in-life-there-is-a-certain-kind-of/) [Amaka Nkosazana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amaka-nkosazana/) > [“My belief is the belief of no beliefs. That's my belief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-scott-mcleod/my-belief-is-the-belief-of-no-beliefs-that-s-my-belief/) [T. Scott McLeod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-scott-mcleod/) > [Beliefs and values that have held sway for thousands of years will be questioned as never before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-p-christ/beliefs-and-values-that-have-held-sway-for-thousands-of-years-will-be/) [Carol P. Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-p-christ/) > [There is no power shortage in heaven, and God is never in a recession. But His grace is sufficient to meet every need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/there-is-no-power-shortage-in-heaven-and-god-is-never-in-a-recession/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“Your beliefs, and your beliefs alone, belong to you. You are the only one who is with you for your entire life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz-jr/your-beliefs-and-your-beliefs-alone-belong-to-you-you-are-the-only/) [Miguel Ruiz Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz-jr/) [Browse all 1,331 Beliefs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beliefs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“These days, though, tolerance means that you accept the other person's views as being true or legitimate. 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