Dear Critic,

«People don't share a common destiny, it's a fantasy.»

They do share, only each might hope for something else.

Some people sit at the adults table making the choices
Whilst the rest of us sit at the kiddies table living with those choices

Intolerance is good.

When I was a child, growing up in suburban Sydney we could always tell where the members of the Loyal Orange Lodge and their supporters lived.
We’d be selling raffle tickets and wearing our Marist School uniforms and they’d greet us with “ Git outa here ya dirty little Taig” (derogatory term for Catholic).

Builds character.

Opinions are like gods.

There are many around and some are very interesting but in the end you only believe in yours.

They are also a source of intolerance but there's always a chance yours is the wrong one.

I firmly believe that there is every reason to address
and oppose intolerance and to try to promote tolerance.

Intolerance appears to be commonplace worldwide.
There are nearly daily reports of intolerance towards
refugees and immigrants, people from different religious
and ethnic groups and against people who hold ideologically
differing viewpoints.

The pursuit of tolerance is important for social cohesion.
Therefore in our increasingly diverse societies there is
every reason to address and oppose intolerance and to try to
promote tolerance.

Talking about tolerance?

Lets discuss our contributions to this forum.

They haven't all reeked of tolerant and adult behaviour.
We have all had our undesirable moments. Myself
included. We've all lowered the bar at times in
discussions by responding - (sometimes to being provoked),
other times simply to viewpoints that did not agree with
ours. Intolerance is nothing new.

People have prejudicial intolerance based on rigidity,
closemindedness and antipathy towards a group of people
or single individuals. People have deliberate intolerance
which involves specific beliefs or practices that are
considered to violate moral principles and values.
And of course there is intolerance of viewpoint diversity.

Personally, I've been called an old cow, a wicked witch, that
awful woman, a communist, and a Marxist. I've been told that
I am not Australian, that I should go back to the country of
my parents and that not only do I hate Australia but that
Australia would be a better place without me.

My opinion has been described as "yuck." No matter what
topic I raise for discussion it's "stupid" and "crap."
When I raised the subject of a republic - I was told I'm
anti-British and anti - Monarchy. When I brought up the
history of colonialism in this country I was told I was
re-writing history. And the list goes on.

Undoubtedly more will be added from these proponents of
"free speech," as I continue to dare to express an opinion
or raise a topic that doesn't sit well with them. And if I dare to
respond back - I will be the one to blame. Even now in daring to
bring up the subject of "The importance of Tolerance."

Well gentlemen - I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to stay.
And I shall continue to voice my views despite your objections.
Or perhaps because of them.

I was raised to not rock the boat.
to always smile and take it no matter what.
To fit in. However, being on this forum -
I've found to try not to take ourselves too
seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.