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Townhall...
So Much for Tolerance
By Ken Connor
One of the hallmarks of contemporary Liberalism is an embrace of
multiculturalism. A truly progressive society, so the thinking goes, is
one in which people from all walks of life – all racial, ethnic,
religious, and cultural backgrounds – can coexist harmoniously, even
though they have radically different world views and conflicting
notions about how to order themselves in society.
Inculcating a spirit of multiculturalism in our children has become a
top priority in America’s schools. It is important, we’ve decided, for
young people to learn tolerance at an early age: You may not look the
same, or act the same, or believe the same as your neighbor, but you
should nonetheless treat him with respect and dignity as a fellow human
being. America’s strength lies in her diversity, after all.
In recent years, however, the notion of what it means to be “tolerant”
has changed radically. There was a time when tolerance meant just that:
tolerance. I may not agree with my neighbor’s religious beliefs, or
lifestyle choices, or cultural mores, but as a law abiding, dignified
citizen I tolerated these differences in a peaceable manner. My
neighbor would extend me the same courtesy.
If the occasion arose, say, come election season, we might engage in a
lively discussion of our differences, debating the merits of each
person’s views. Today, however, a new understanding of tolerance
reigns: I must not merely respect my neighbor’s right to think and act
differently from me, I must embrace, celebrate, and promote my
neighbor’s way of life, even if that means repudiating my own values in
the process.
Turns out, Liberals aren’t as keen on multiculturalism as they claim.
Their views might be best described as “Our-culturalism.” The tenets of
our-culturalism are quite simple: Our worldview is right, good, and
absolutely necessary for a just society. Those who disagree with us are
not merely wrong, not merely different, they are a positive threat –
hatemongers who must be isolated and ostracized for the greater good of
society.
So it is with the issue of homosexuality, and the conflict between the
homosexual lifestyle and those who espouse a traditional understanding
of marriage and family. Homosexual activists have said for years that
all they want is tolerance, but it has become increasingly clear that
mere tolerance is not enough. They want their lifestyle to be endorsed
by society and affirmed through civil law. Enter the fast food chain
Chick-Fil-A. According to a recent article in the New York Times, the
restaurant’s Christian roots have many homosexuals torn between their
love of southern fried comfort fare and their sexual identity:
A Pennsylvania outlet’s sponsorship of a February marriage seminar by
one of that state’s most outspoken groups against homosexuality lit up
gay blogs around the country. Students at some universities have also
begun trying to get the chain removed from campuses.
The donation has some fans cheering and others forcing themselves to
balance their food desires against their personal beliefs.
“Does loving Chick-fil-A make you a bad gay?” said Rachel Anderson of
Berkeley, Calif. “Oh, golly, human beings have an amazing capacity to
justify a lot of things.” Ms. Anderson has been with her partner for 15
years. They married in California during the brief period when same-sex
marriage was legal in 2008. They have 7-year-old twins. A visit to her
spouse’s family in North Carolina always includes a trip to the chicken
chain.
But as she learns more about the company, Ms. Anderson is wavering
about where to eat when they travel to Charlotte in April.
“I’m going to have to sit with this a little bit,” she said.
The recent controversy prompted the President of Chick-Fil-A to issue a
statement on the company’s Facebook page:
Heartfelt hospitality is at the core of Chick-Fil-A. We want a welcome
and comforting environment for all of our guests, and this commitment
is a daily focus. Some recent events have called into question the
principles of Chick-Fil-A, and speak directly to the heart of our
organization. . . . Let me be clear: Chick-Fil-A serves all people, and
values all people.
In this statement, Dan T. Cathy articulates a core tenet of his
Christian faith: Each and every person is made in the image of God, and
therefore possesses inherent worth, value, and dignity. This principle
ensures that every Chick-Fil-A customer will be treated graciously and
with respect, regardless of his or sexual orientation or anything else.
Unfortunately this isn’t good enough for the proponents of
our-culturalism. So long as the company and its employees embrace the
Christian faith, they will be labeled as an intolerant force of hatred.
Given the recent focus on a need for renewed civility in public
discourse, it is unfortunate that some within the homosexual community
are attempting to stir up rancor and controversy where none need exist
– that the same people who hold themselves up as defenders of tolerance
are so intolerant themselves that they would destroy the good name and
reputation of a respected business because of a disagreement over
sexual morality.
So much for tolerance.
Read it at Townhall
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