Intolerance
Intolerance (opposite of tolerance) is a refusal to allow other people to express their opinions or to practice their religion. In totalitarian countries, the government forcibly suppresses all views which oppose government policy or ideology. Communist countries deny the freedom of religion as well. Other forms of dictatorships permit religious freedom, but are intolerant of any criticism of the government.
Intolerance is also a root of some "hate speech" rules and laws. Various special interest groups have gotten companies, schools and governments to define any criticism of their group activities as "motivated by hate". With hatred seen as a dehumanizing justification for discrimination, the argument proceeds as the following quote illustrates:
- "Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood." [1]
The error in this argument is obvious. Telling someone about a warning in the Bible is doing them a favor, not expressing hatred toward them. When a teacher instructs a pupil not to steal from others, not to assault them or tease them, these instructions are for the child's benefit.
Gay rights supporters introduce the false premise that warnings against homosexual activity aren't beneficial. They use rhetorical tricks like ad hominem and guilt by association to imply that everyone who criticizes homosexuality is motivated by irrational fears or hatred (see "homophobia"). Not everyone who opposes homosexuality is an extremist like Fred Phelps.
