To speak plainly and truthfully about the state of our world-to say, for instance, that the Bible and the Koran both contain mountains of life-destroying gibberish-is antithetical to tolerance as moderates currently conceive it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author argues that speaking truthfully about religious texts conflicts with current notions of tolerance.
- In plain terms
- Calling religious texts harmful is seen as intolerant by some moderates.
- What can you take from it?
- Tolerance may sometimes shield harmful ideas from critique.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is tolerance always a virtue?
- How do we balance critique and respect?
Another view
The term moderate is subjective and varies by context.
More from Sam Harris
There are ideas within Buddhism that are so incredible as to render the dogma of the virgin birth plausible by comparison.
Permalink to quote #54 I've read the books. God is not a moderate. There's no place in the books where God says, 'You know, when you get to the New World and you develop your three b…
Permalink to quote #58 Lecture at the New York Society for Ethical Culture (2005)[10]
Permalink to quote #59
Related quotes
I had imagined that the prelates of the Galilaeans were under greater obligations to me than to my predecessor. For in his reign many of them were banished, pe…
JulianJulian quote #3 Sectarian feelings and criticism of other teachings or other sects is very bad, poisonous, and should be avoided.
Tenzin Gyatso (Dalai Lama)Tenzin Gyatso (Dalai Lama) quote #65 Sectarian feelings and criticism of other teachings or other sects is very bad, poisonous, and should be avoided.
Tenzin GyatsoTenzin Gyatso quote #65