Unfortunately, Aristotelian logic no longer holds sway in common debate. However, I've learned through experience and education two important lessons:
1) There are usually more than one valid argument.
2) Beyond validity, right and wrong are subjective.
There are some societal arguments going on in America as I type this. No doubt there are people frothing at the mouth spamming replies over them right now. However, mass media and public outcry in some corners has made it unpopular to voice dissent to the burgeoning popular view. There are some valid opposing arguments that may not be politically correct, but still valid. They are not heard. Let me issue the word of the day: Bigot.
Merriam-Webster will save me some typing time... ahh there it is!
bigot: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
We all know a bigot is a bad thing, a boogie man, a pariah. He gets no seat at the lunch table. Calling someone that ends the argument, because being a bigot is worse than being wrong, it's just bad and you must therefore be wrong. I would disagree. Being intolerant makes you intolerant. It does not make you wrong. Being wrong does. Using that word incorrectly is cowardly and wrong. It's a violation of civility.
I realize the battle for rights can often turn ugly and push the opposite direction. I believe that's happening. The infringed become what they despise. Now we shun those with superstitious belief, we mock those who have philosophical opposition as bigots, and we bully them until they go away and we get what we want.
It's a sickness. If our opinion wins the hearts and minds of others, let it be through understanding and respect.
I plead with all of us: Take a person who actually espouses hatred and intolerance and recognize that person as a bigot rather than projecting emotion and intolerance. If I disagree with your lifestyle, it doesn't mean I cannot tolerate it or that I hate you. If we are intolerant of dissent and label it with flash words, we are simply guilty of the same. We are being intolerant of an entire segment who believe that way in society.
If you start labeling any group and attributing hatred to people who disagree with you (to include the word bigot), you are a certified bigot. You have just made a complete ass of yourself. Just disagree. It's pretty easy. No emotion, just passion. Fight for what you believe in, don't believe in the rhetoric pedaled by media personalities that makes us believe others hate us because they disagree. Even if it's something as 'fundamental' as gay marriage or abortion, there's room for disagreement without hate.
Hatred is actually pretty hard and takes effort. True hatred isn't hard to spot. It's not a religious person who disagrees with you or wants to save your soul and it's not an atheist who doesn't believe in that other person's perceptions of faith. True intolerance isn't either because if you are truly intolerant, words aren't enough. You must rid yourselves of the offending idea at any cost. Again, pretty easy to spot.
