In recent news, Marshall Simonds Middle School in Burlington, MA, saw some sparks fly on June 2. School leaders encouraged students to wear clothing decked out with rainbows in solidarity and celebration of Pride Month. Some students, not happy with the plan, instead wore patriotic colors. Some chanted, “My pronouns are USA.”
Adults (because of their age, not because of their actions) involved in the matter were upset with the actions of these eighth-graders, calling them “intolerant and homophobic” and saying they were creating an unsafe environment for the LGBT+ community.
It’s tough to be labeled “intolerant.” It’s one of the worst crimes you can be charged with in today’s social / political atmosphere.
I’m going to ask a question, and the very act of asking can get a guy in trouble these days. But we cannot lose grip on the fact that words mean things, and we must understand how words are used in context before we can understand anything that is said or written.
The question: What does intolerance mean, and why is it bad?
“Intolerance” is thrown around like everyone just knows it’s evil and destructive. How could you be so intolerant? You bigot! You hater!
Yet every person on earth is intolerant…of something. You must be. There can be no love if there is no hate. The man who hates nothing loves nothing. The man who tolerated everything would not have a moral character of any strength or value. Indeed, he does not exist.
In the article referenced above, the Burlington Equity Coalition called for “consequences” against the middle-school kids who spoke against their LGBT+ agenda. That’s not tolerance, is it? They are intolerant of others who are not on their side, and they label dissenters “intolerant,” without providing context as to what they are intolerant of or why the kids’ intolerance is any worse than their own.
If someone labels you “intolerant,” don’t be upset. Start asking questions. Get them to clarify what they mean. You will most likely find they are slapping labels on you in an attempt to get their way and skirt the actual issues. Labeling others “intolerant” or “homophobic” or “hateful” or “bigoted” is a simple but cowardly kind of rhetoric designed to shut down discussion. We should recognize it for what it is and move on with our lives. Don’t be provoked or dissuaded by this line of attack.
Words mean things. Keep that front and center. God communicates to us through the written Word. He calls His own Son THE Word. Christians, of all people, should be committed to defining and clarifying what we and others mean by our words. Many don’t like (tolerate) that, because it means we are searching for truth, and the truth presents a clear and present danger to foolishness and sin.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.
Ephesians 5.6–14