Monday, May 26, 2014

I think Evelyn Beatrice Hall Would Approve (and Voltaire too!)

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" - Evelyn Beatrice Hall*

As I celebrate and contemplate this Memorial Day, I believe we seem to have forgotten what used to be this truism in American culture.  Personally, I value the opinions of those who have views on issues that differ from my own.  My wife and I host a monthly discussion group that embodies the spirit of Evelyn Hall; members of the group disagree more often than they agree on many issues yet we still manage to eat pizza together after many a spirited debate/disagreement.  Some members are liberal, some conservative.  We’ve had members who are Christian, atheist, and Hindu.  Views are expressed that some find offensive, and they say so – but they still come back each week to discuss issues and seek to understand the viewpoints of those with whom they vociferously disagree.   These are my friends and they define by example what it means to be tolerant -- I think Hall (and Voltaire) would approve.


*(this quote is often incorrectly attributed to Voltaire)  

Les Johnson