"Love and Tolerance" Gone Too Far?

[omnusus 52]

Since I've been a brony, and even more so since when I joined these forums, I have noticed a trend among many other fans that troubles me. We all know the cliche mantra "love and tolerate," and most seem to follow that little code to some extend. However, it seems that many people are interpreting it in the wrong way. They seem so cautious when stating their opinions, as if disagreeing with someone else is a form of borderline intolerance.

 

I think respectful debate on an issue or belief is very healthy and constructive, and even necessary if you want to be truly confident in your beliefs. Due to this, it troubles me whenever I see posts where people shy away from even remotely challenging another person's opinion. It's as if there's an "everybody can be right!" mentality among some members of the community, when that's simply not true.

 

Of course, the majority of posters seem like they healthily state and debate their opinions, and there are even some who yell their opinions from the mountains, but there's still a disproportionately large group that's very timid when it comes to such things.

 

At least, that's just my opinion.

 

Now, please note that the only other forum I frequent is NationStates, where posters often proclaim their opinions as if they're undeniable truth, so my point of view is probably different from most here. It may be that the people here are like most people anywhere.

 

So, does anyone else see this trend? Or is my viewpoint just so slanted that I'm seeing things that don't actually exist? Furthermore, if what I say is correct, do you think it's a bad thing, or actually a good thing?

[Evilshy 5,090]

I haven't really noticed it, though I do spend most of my forum time in General Discussion and Debate Pit, which is where everybody goes to state their opinions and debate things.

 

It does, however, bother me when people act like people disagreeing with them means they aren't "loving and tolerating" them.

 

And anyway, "love and tolerate" was originally just a thing said to troll haters. Kinda bugs me now that some people take it to mean that we have to act all nice and never offend anybody else. Disagree with me all you want, I like a good debate, but if you're actually offended by me disagreeing with you, then I'm afraid that's your problem, not mine.

[Fluttershyfan94 5,742]

Well you're probably right, I'm guilty of this but it has nothing to do with "love and tolerate" I just don't want to get into a debate so I don't post a lot in those threads. When I do I usually just give my opinion and if someone has another one I ignore that person while I brohoof those I agree with. It's just a debate on the Internet always seems to end up badly and I prefer not having one of those on a site I'm mostly on just to make friends. I'm not here to debate so maybe my viewpoint is different. There are a lot of people I don't agree with on this forum I just don't want to start debating on the Internet I prefer doing so in real life.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Well, there are times where love and tolerance can go wrong or in some cases go too far. I don't really have any examples on it, but I have seen it happen when bronies use reverse psychology to do the opposite of ''love and tolerate.''

[Metaright 76]

I don't think I've noticed it that much. If anything, I see a problem with people proclaiming their opinions to be indisputable facts, which is not at all conducive to a good discussion.

 

Also relevant is that "love and tolerance" did not come from the show; it came from the fandom to unite early bronies during the 4chan era. If you ask me, it's well outlived its usefulness, and should promptly die.

[. eris . 1,661]

I never understood the whole "love and tolerate" thing. My personal motto has nearly always been, "By all means, let us be open minded. But let us not be so open minded that our brains fall out." Love and tolerate =/= blind acceptance. Loving someone or something for no real reason is nearly the same as hating something for no real reason.

[DubWolf 17,263]

There are limits. Some will be more tolerant than others, but that should not get in the way of defining what is the truth. I typically hate it when anti-bronies use this against us: "if you love and tolerate everything, then does that mean you love and tolerate Hitler"?, or simply anything that involves us writing back to them in a hate way (which I avoid very well).

 

Love and tolerance in my definition means that we are open to ideas and will gladly accept them, but not if it is harming others or their beliefs. At that point, we must step in.

[Fluttermena 1,223]

Love > Tolerance

 

I consider myself very open-minded and compassionate. I believe that eveyone should be treated with compassion and care unconditionally and that we should all do our best to inprove the physical and mental well being of every individual.

That being said, I'm not tolerant, and I think tolerance and freedom is a shitty principle on which to base one's morals. I have no interest in letting cruel, apathetic or mean spirited jerks do, think and speak as they please.

I can be very open-minded and accepting of other's opinions, and I care about their wishes, but if I'm confronted with an opinion I can't respect, I definitely will not "live and let live".

 

The reason why I don't like to argue is that it almost never possible to convince someone to change their minds, I have a bad temper, and I have incredibly low self-esteem and debating skills.

Dealing with people whose ethical beliefs are different from mine is generally a difficult and utterly traumatising experience for me.

[akalink 163]

I've noticed this, it really isn't a brony problem but really a generational problem. This idea that to challenge someone's beliefs is intolerance to that persons beliefs.

[CaptainCanti 5]

I think this is the only fandom I've seen where everyone hasn't completely torn each other apart. Everyone just seems like really good friends. But its also kinda weird that arguing is so rare.

[Flutter's lover <3 8,205]

I've noticed this too, I'm a pretty open minded person,been open minded since way before being a brony and even a furry.

 

Somewhat relevant video

 

[Snowy Storm 57]

Unlike other fandoms I am apart of this seems to be more supportive of things and accepts other for who they are and not what they are or what person (Or in our case pony) they like more.

And I see you point as well. I will be on youtube and see random people posting Love and Tolerance way to much. I can also say that on 4chan is the only place where you can see some fighting. Little, but it's there and they don't use Love and Tolerance much anymore. I think what you are seeing is people going on to youtube and facebook and posting that just to be trolls. That is sad because it was once a shield we used against trolls.

[~Silver Essence~ 2,625]

Not really.

 

At first it was a statement by most, but by now, most just either treat it as a joke or something that was made up.

 

Overall, it hasn't gone too far to gain much attention.

[MichaelxXxTrixie 433]

Love and Tolerance hasn't gone to far. It's actually partially the main reason I still lurk these forums. Usually the people who are afraid to share there opinions would never share there opinion regardless. We can have structured debates when they occur rather than just going, "FUCK YOU!"

[Shanks 10,816]

That being said, I'm not tolerant, and I think tolerance and freedom is a shitty principle on which to base one's morals. I have no interest in letting cruel, apathetic or mean spirited jerks do, think and speak as they please.

That is a perfect example of someone having a completely and totally wrong idea of exactly what tolerance actually is. People seem to confuse tolerance with acceptance, you can tolerate opinions you don't like but you don't have to accept or agree with them. Which also brings me to another way people misinterpret tolerance by using it as a weapon against people who disagree with them which I am seeing far too much of in this fandom. People who don't agree with twilicorn for example have been accused of being butthurt haters who just don't like Twilight which is far from true as I have noticed that some of the strongest opinions both for and against have been from Twilight Sparkle fans.

 

You are not using that as a weapon like I have see others do, but saying "I have no interesting in letting cruel, apathetic or mean spirited jerks do, think and speak as they please" could be interepreted as being just a tad authoritarian which I sincerely hope you weren't going for as today people you do like might be censored but tomorrow if might be you. I tolerate opinions I don't like even if some of them can piss me off because allowing people to speak their peace in an open market place of ideas is the best way to ensure that the good ideas root out the bad.