Tolerating Intolerance?

[Rocky Roberts]

Dear Ajahn Bramali,

My question is two-fold: what is your view regarding tolerating intolerant views (such as views against homosexuality, different religions, different races), and is tolerance or acceptance of such views possible without enabling them? I can generally accept views different than my own when there is little to no harmful consequences, but I have a hard time accepting others views which I know to be harmful and malicious. I guess my question is an old one - does acceptance of others views mean agreeing with them or not speaking out against them?

Thanks,
Rocky

[Ajahn Brahmali]

Dear Rocky,

This is an important question! First of all we need to be clear about the meaning of tolerance. Tolerance does not mean to accept others' views, especially when they are harmful. Tolerance, as I see it, means that you do not try to destroy the views you disagree with through violence or other coercive methods. This, of course, does not mean that one cannot try to change others' views, only that one does so through a sense kindness and wisdom and with the understanding that if there is nothing one can do then one will have to let go. In this we way we do not condone harmful views, nor do we fight them with unwholesome means. This is difficult to do, but it is really the only way if we are going to have a peaceful society.

With metta.