[Danny]

Originally Posted by +Donny

But the argument makes no sense. You can't take the Bible's teaching on tolerance and then criticize it because it doesn't line up with what you think tolerance should be.

I am not making up my own conception of tolerance, I am going by dictionary definition, by which the Bible and Christianity are intolerant.

You are not a Christian, and you do not hold to Biblical teachings, so it is unfair to criticize it from the basis of your own presuppositions and views. Of course it is absurd to believe in Biblical tolerance, unless, of course, it is true that those who deny Christ are going to everlasting torment in hell.

What does that matter? It is still intolerance by dictionary definition. You can argue all you want that such intolerance is just or good (I certainly think it is a good thing to be intolerant to murder and rape), but you can't simply say, "No no, killing/alienating unbelievers isn't intolerant; we have good reason to." You can only argue, "Yes, we are intolerant to unbelievers, but we have good reason to be."

[Qingu]

Originally Posted by Simo

i totally agree!! it seemed though that Qingu was attacking christians as homcidal and then claimin they were intolerant.... using a meaning of tolerance that would have ruled his statement intolerant

There is a rather large gulf between "being tolerant" and "believing everything anyone else believes is right."

There is also a rather large gulf between "being tolerant" and "stoning the blasphemers" as the Bible commands you to do.

Nobody is 100% tolerant. I tend to think that you should always tolerate people's opposing viewpoints to the extent that you do not kill them for them. However I don't believe I've ever said that I think all opposing viewpoints are correct; I don't believe I've ever said that you shouldn't argue with people who hold opposing viewpoints.

[+Donny]

I am not making up my own conception of tolerance, I am going by dictionary definition, by which the Bible and Christianity are intolerant.

Dictionary definition? I think this goes deeper than a dictionary.

What does that matter? It is still intolerance by dictionary definition. You can argue all you want that such intolerance is just or good (I certainly think it is a good thing to be intolerant to murder and rape), but you can't simply say, "No no, killing/alienating unbelievers isn't intolerant; we have good reason to." You can only argue, "Yes, we are intolerant to unbelievers, but we have good reason to be."

You implied that biblical intolerance was wrong by appreciate Christians' "inconsistency".

[Danny]

Originally Posted by +Donny

Dictionary definition? I think this goes deeper than a dictionary.

How so? I have not even really criticized Christianity's intolerance. I only defended Qingu's original comment which then spiraled into a discussion about what "tolerance" means and how it applies to the Bible.

You implied that biblical intolerance was wrong by appreciate Christians' "inconsistency".

I think the fact that Christianity is intolerant is wrong, but it's probably correct within the logic of its own worldview. As someone who thinks Christianity as a whole is wrong, I think this particular aspect is wrong as well, but I have not specifically criticized it as such previously in this thread. I appreciate my Christian friends' inconsistency because the fact that they are not cutting contact with me or trying to have me executed by the government makes me happy.

[+Donny]

I think the fact that Christianity is intolerant is wrong, but it's probably correct within the logic of its own worldview. As someone who thinks Christianity as a whole is wrong, I think this particular aspect is wrong as well, but I have not specifically criticized it as such previously in this thread.

Okay, thanks for the clarification.

I appreciate my Christian friends' inconsistency because the fact that they are not cutting contact with me or trying to have me executed by the government makes me happy.

I would cut contact with you in the sense that it is described; however, since I have no authority to excommunicate you, I will not do so.
Furthermore, it says to treat them as a tax collector, IIRC, which means to not regard them as a Christian brother anymore. Depending on your response to my pm, I will do so.