Comparative Tolerance 101-- for beginners

By ( articles ) | Nov 12, 2006

The distinguished British philosopher Elton John thinks that religion-- all religion-- should be outlawed. Why? Because religion is intolerant. Intolerant, that is, of people like himself.

Try to imagine-- this won't be easy-- that some prominent prelate of the Church of England said that Elton John should be outlawed, because he-- Elton John-- is intolerant toward religion. What would the headlines say? It's perfectly predictable; they'd say that the Anglican bishop was-- c'mon, say it together, everyone-- "intolerant."

But our hypothetical Anglican would have solid evidence for the fact that John is intolerant, since the singer has called for a ban on religion. Whereas Elton John has no evidence for the intolerance of religion, since our Anglican bishop is purely hypothetical.