This is a gem.
http://slatestarcodex.com/2014/09/30/i-can-tolerate-anything-except-the-outgroup/
My favourite part is this story;
Tolerance is definitely considered a virtue, but it suffers the same sort of dimished expectations forgiveness does.
Lack of standards, the 21st century problem.
The Emperor summons before him Bodhidharma and asks: “Master, I have been tolerant of innumerable gays, lesbians, bisexuals, asexuals, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, transgender people, and Jews. How many Tolerance Points have I earned for my meritorious deeds?”
Bodhidharma answers: “None at all”.
The Emperor, somewhat put out, demands to know why not.
Bodhidharma asks: “Well, what do you think of gay people?”
The Emperor answers: “What do you think I am, some kind of homophobic bigot? Of course I have nothing against gay people!”
And Bodhidharma answers: “Thus do you gain no merit by tolerating them!”
“If I had to define “tolerance” it would be something like “respect and kindness toward members of an outgroup”.”
