tolerance
BLOG
Don’t Be Stupid
To me stupidity is not knowing about something, but then acting or speaking as if you do. Let’s say you start criticizing someone’s religion. What exactly are you criticizing? Is there some specific verse, writing, theory or philosophy you’re referring to? Or is it based on something you "heard" on the news or someone else’s ignorant opinion?
BLOG
Freedom of Thought: Infinitely Valuable and Incessantly Attacked
In the wake of the 1960’s, my father and mother began studying Dianetics and Scientology in New York and San Francisco. I grew up in a multi-denominational household—Christian, Jewish, Scientologist. I lived in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect.
BLOG
Hate Never Wins: A Tale of Two Blog Posts
I posted this photo on my photography blog. I didn’t think it would be very controversial. Boy, was I wrong.
BLOG
How to Get Others to Change Their Minds
How many times have you tried to change someone’s mind about something by indicating where they were wrong? Did that work for them or for you?
BLOG
I Will Not Tolerate Hatred
I have been a Scientologist for over fifteen years, and very publicly so. In working with my church and its members I am surrounded by some of the most decent, friendly, intelligent, helpful, caring, hardworking (and did I mention funny and charming?) incredible people I have ever known.
BLOG
If It’s True It’s True. If It’s on TV, It’s on TV
I have had the privilege of being a Scientologist for the past eleven years and I have been Jewish all my life. As a Jew, I have experienced my fair share of jabs and pokes, but if there has been a “silver lining,” it’s that the religion’s beliefs and practices were never questioned.
BLOG
Impulse to Attack the Unknown
I recall an incident from many years ago where a couple of misguided radio personalities in my city decided it would be a good idea to disrupt a Muslim prayer service. Bad idea all around. The good thing was that the people of Denver condemned this forcefully.
BLOG
In Spite of Everything
The defacing of a public monument is a despicable crime in and of itself. But when the target is a beloved figure like Anne Frank—as happened recently at the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial—and when the motivation is clearly anti-Semitism, acts of defilement reach a whole new low.
BLOG
Increased Tolerance: The Apple Pie Method
One day when I was a kid, my mom brought an apple pie home from the bakery. This was a rare occurrence in our sugar-rationed household and therefore a very big deal to me. I, personally, had an open-door policy on sugar.
BLOG
Lessons in Tolerance from South Africa
I guess there is bigotry everywhere, but—oddly enough—I don’t experience too much of that here in South Africa. If you look for it, you will probably find it, but bigots are no longer welcome here.
