Indiscriminate Tolerance: The American Trojan Horse

About the Book

This book is a reminder that “common values” are often “compromised principles”.   Today’s emphasis on rights, choices and tolerance are dictated more by the desire to accommodate different standards and lifestyles without regard to ethical consequences rather than by demanding accountability and responsibility by those associated with the view or right.

We have become  a nation whose highest priority is to legitimize different standards and values in order that all cultures, religions and views should have equal protection.  While the intent is legally sound, it has become an ethical nightmare.  What we have done in the name of tolerance is to equate protection with validation.  In other words,  whether it is objectionable, of questionable value, morally out of line or out and out harmful, we can accept it as a valid point of view because the law(s) protect it.  We have failed to discriminate between what is considered “right” by the group or the law protecting that “right”,  with what is in principle, wrong.  It is a terribly misguided effort to govern by  popular will and compromise, one  that has resulted in half-truths and moral ambiguity.  The results of these wrong turns are evident in our lack of political, social and ethical leadership.

The purpose of this writing is to point out that powerful self interest and rights’ groups have exploited societies penchant for tolerance and compromise  so skillfully that right and wrong are neither inhibitors nor motivators, they are simply bystanders.   What is most valued is social acceptance  derived from a combination of coercion and spin.  Integrity and truth are applied only when it is convenient to their agenda.  Abortion, homosexuality, guns and tobacco all are  undeniably divisive  and to some degree, life threatening.   Yet rather than confront the core issues of accountability and responsibility, we accommodate and tolerate because our rights and freedoms have become more important that our integrity and ethical standards.

Every day thousands of Americans die as a direct result of abortions, improper sexual activity, guns and smoking.   And like clockwork, the next day, thousands more will decide to abort, smoke, use a gun or engage in homosexual activity without a second thought.  The typical American response is; so what, it’s their choice!  No calls for discipline, no demands for sanctions, no need to ruffle feathers and finally, no consequences for selfish, immoral behavior.

The alarm has sounded.  To whom do we support?   The self interest groups whose highest priority is self enhancement via the use of smoke and mirrors to hide their damage?   Or, individual and corporate integrity based on obedience and truth from our Christian heritage?   There is or will be a price to pay, regardless of our answer.   We can pay now at a lower price by confronting the ethical issues or we can pay later at a higher price as we become overwhelmed by our so-called rights and choices.

One  final thought; this is in all seriousness, a life and death choice.   Every day that you and I delay standing up for integrity; someone is compromised or dies, an irresponsible group grows in strength or an unethical view gains momentum.

That bothers me.  Does it bother you?

About the Author