There's a new book out called American Fascists, which posits that certain Christians are more or less Nazis. John Wiener writes a rebuttal that begins, "There are problems with this analogy." Yes, indeed, it's like shooting fish in a barrel.
The book's author, Chris Hedges, writes that "the Christian right 'should no longer be tolerated,' because it 'would destroy the tolerance that makes an open society possible.'" That's a restatement of Mark Steyn's position re: Islamist movements. Steyn wrote some years ago that we have a real challenge ahead:
This is what we’re fighting for—the right not to tolerate any intolerance of our tolerance.Where does that leave us with Mr. Hedges? Tolerating his intolerance of intolerance that tolerates?
It's a tricky problem, but one that seems to me to be suceptible to a clean rule: Intolerance does indeed threaten an open society, but is only over the line when the movement threatens unlawful, physical violence toward the non-tolerated party. Otherwise, it's a 1st Amendment right. You're not required to like anybody, and you're free to say so.
One assumes Mr. Hedges will survive without any intolerant notes being pinned to his chest with a knife. If Robertson or Falwell try to lead an uprising to violently suppress him, I'll be on his side (supporting my right to tolerate his intolerance, that is).
Until then, I think he's a lunatic.
No comments:
Post a Comment