I wrote a post about tolerance some time ago, but I believe it’s important to revisit in the current climate of calling everything hate-speech which does not agree with one’s own views.

McDowell and McDowell address the idea of tolerance in the prologue of their book. I think that speaks to its importance. We can’t have a discussion of differing views if we’re working with different definitions of tolerance. One person will get to do all the talking because they see everything the other person has to say as being intolerant while plainly showing their own intolerance. At least as they themselves define it.

What tolerance actually is: ‘Rather than accepting all views as equally valid, true tolerance involves recognizing and respecting others when we don’t approve of their values, beliefs, and practices.’ (xliii)

That’s the entire reason we need tolerance. It wouldn’t be necessary if everyone agreed with one another.

The authors discuss a number of misconceptions in the prologue. One of them addresses that it’s seen as intolerant to believe that there is only one true religion and only one way to God. Jesus said it: ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’ (John 14.6)

I’d say that’s pretty straightforward. McDowell and McDowell make the point, ‘While all religions could possibly be wrong, it is not logically possible for all of them to be right when their claims differ so radically. Either they are all wrong or only one is right.’ (xliv)

This is the only thing that makes sense. People want to say there are many paths to God or that all religious are valid, but when they make wildly contradictory claims, it’s just not possible. To claim otherwise is irrational.

McDowell, J., & McDowell, S. (2017). Evidence that Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World. Thomas Nelson, Nashville.