Poll: Do I have to accept everyone?

[Falconsgyre]

My gut instinct used to be to say "you have to tolerate them, but you don't have to do any more," but then I actually thought about what that would be like when I applied it. What would you say to someone who's racist? "I know you don't like black people, but you have to at least tolerate them." Or someone who's homophobic? "I know you think all gay people are sinners who are going to burn in the eternal fires of hell, but you have to at least tolerate them." And when I think about it that way, "tolerance" seems like an awfully weak criterion for human interaction. A society which "tolerates" people of other ethnicities isn't going to treat them fairly. A society which "tolerates" homosexuality can revoke rights far, far too easily.

I honestly think that from an ethical perspective, you do actually have a bit more of a duty than mere tolerance. You have to examine your prejudices, and ask if you have any rational reason to dislike someone. And if not, you should do your best not only to tolerate them, but to accept them. Obviously, we should probably not accept (or maybe even tolerate) the KKK or WBC. But you can't really ignore the fact that from a historical perspective, "tolerating" people who haven't done anything wrong is absolutely unfair to them from a social standpoint.

 

[loodmoney]

Accepting others is not the same as agreeing with them. If people are still disagreeing with you, you have to work on the assumption that what they say is plausible to them for a reason. Other than trying to see where they are coming from, there is not much you can do.

 

[Halceon]

People do and will have different views and values. Thing is, everyone will think that they are in the right and will ask for acceptance/tolerance, while never really considering the opposite. Sometimes they'll actually be right, but usually not. See, a lot of beliefs are verifiable, testable. And "be acceptive of everyone" is testably wrong. Should you accept racism? Or tolerate homophobia? Keep quite about national supremacism? Should we allow certain groups to commit crimes because their cultural roots allow and support hostilities to outsiders?
Need I go on?

 

[gamer_parent]

what exactly are they asking you to do?

 

[88chaz88]

Accepting doesn't equate to liking. They have as much right to their views as much as you have to yours.

 

[GBlair88]

The best you can do is agree to disagree and be as friendly as you can. If they can't do the same then just don't bother with them.

My dad is a christian and I'm an atheist but we're still close and accept each others beliefs even though we don't agree.

 

[SillyBear]

Of course not. Some people don't deserve to be accepted.

 

[Oliman43]

Short answer; no.
Long answer; no but, it is far better to at least respect them. If not accept them, then you could still acknowledge them as being just as important as you.

I actually talk about this quite alot with an aquaintance of mine regarding his less than polite views on women.

 

[SinisterGehe]

what exactly are they asking you to do?

basically. I am not allowed to have any issues with any type of minority. Not social, political, ethical or philosophical. I must accept them and have no issue with their existence. It sounds rather impossible.

 

[Chezza]

You don't have to accept everyone nor anyone has to accept you. All it comes down to what you are going to do about it. My general answer is: Nothing.

I don't like someones views? Well tough titties, ignore it and move on.
Someone goes out there way to find my views then debates about them? Well ill tell them where to go :/

 

[justnotcricket]

I wouldn't worry about arguing semantics with hippies. Probably one of the more pointless things you could do, really. If you really have a 'live and let live' philosophy, don't worry about what they say.

 

[gamer_parent]

what exactly are they asking you to do?

basically. I am not allowed to have any issues with any type of minority. Not social, political, ethical or philosophical. I must accept them and have no issue with their existence. It sounds rather impossible.

but in what context? Is this some kind of club setting? Does this mean you are obligated to be buddy buddy with say, the "don't ever shower and give lots of hugs naked" club? does this simply mean you are not allowed to object to them being around you?

The reason why I say this is because at the end of the day, how often are you REALLY going to need to stand up and outright ostracize someone? I'm not saying they're right and that you SHOULD. I'm saying, you may very well be getting into a tiff with them over effectively nothing.

 

[Thyunda]

You have to accept that that's who they are and that you shouldn't think less of them for it. However, I'll be damned if I tell you to never argue with them. If they're wrong, don't accept that! Teach them the right way, just don't think bad of them if they disagree. Nothing wrong with healthy debate between friends.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

No, but it's good to pretend you do.

 

[gamer_parent]

You don't have to do anything. Just decide for yourself where you stand. My view is that one should remain open to other people's arguments and scrutinize one's own philosophies on a regular basis, but that's just that: my view. Like I said, it's really up to you.

This.

@OP: You obvs don't have to accept everyone (Rapists, murderers etc...) but as a general rule of thumb, you shouldn't stereotype or be prejudiced to anyone because of what is essentially a superficial difference.

That's what I felt your post was leaning to anyway.

are you telling me the OP should just be okay with people who listen to Avril Lavign?! Now that's just crazy talk.

 

[Ryengu]

If someone's actively doing something that bothers you, I'd say it's okay to ask them to stop, but thinking less of them just because they do something different than you is more questionable. That said, I don't think minorities should have some sort of immunity to any and all criticisms, even ones that have no connection to their status as a minority, simply because they're met with actual ignorant bigotry some of the time. Judge people by their individual actions, not their demographic's general image and if something they consciously do bothers you, politely ask them to stop. It's like hanging up on a telemarketer, you can't hold the fact that they do what they do against them, but you can still say "Sorry, not interested" and hang up the phone. When they keep pushing the issue after you say you're not interested however, that's something you can get bugged about without worrying about being intolerant.

 

[Caligulove]

You don't have to accept everyone, in the sense that no one is actively making you or choosing what you do and the decisions you make. The way I see it is that on a basic level, you don't have to accept or agree with everyone, you just need to get along with them and work with them if need be. We as humans should be able to be better at picking and choosing our fights, or when in comes to acting on what 'offends' us.

Everyone just needs to cooperate with one another. If you can't keep personal preferences aside when dealing with other people (again, you dont have to socialize with everyone, you do whatever the hell you want in your social circles) then yea, I think you would have a problem.

 

[Di'kut]

No, you only have to accept minorities. Because otherwise you're a racist, homophobe or whatever.

 

[Killertje]

If people tell you what to do but cant explain why, they are idiots and you should ignore what they say. With that said, if you ask someone why he thinks a certain way or believes something you dont understand, and they cant explain it, just back off. They probably havent thought about it that carefully and are just used to believing whatever it is you dont understand. Never thought about the how and why of it because they were brought up with their beliefs without ever thinking about them critically. You cant expect them to suddenly know exactly why they believe what they believe just because you asked them. Just accept that they dont have a clue about it, but they dont know any better. Maybe just asking about it will open their eyes, but stuff like that takes time. Most people love believing what they believe, so for you to challenge them with logic and reason is hard on them, because they dont know how to defend their precious beliefs because they have never REALLY thought about it.

 

[Gaiseric]

No. I don't either.

I tolerate/accept(not all) a lot of groups. Some not as much as others.