This mindless tolerance, which places observable scientific facts, subject to proof, on the same level as unprovable supernatural fantasy, has played a major role in the resurgence of both anti-intellectualism and anti-rationalism.
Interpretation
The quote criticizes the equal treatment of science and unprovable beliefs, warning against the dangers of anti-intellectualism.
Susan Jacoby argues that the indiscriminate acceptance of both scientific facts and unverified supernatural beliefs undermines rational thought and contributes to a growing culture of anti-intellectualism. By placing these two fundamentally different ways of understanding the world on the same plane, we risk fostering ignorance and rejection of reasoned evidence, which can have serious implications for society's progression.
In practice
This quote could be shared during a lecture on the importance of scientific literacy.
I no longer needed a reason for my existence, just a reason to live. And imagination, free will, love, humor, fun, music, sports, beer, and pizza are all good enough reasons for living. But living an honest life - for that you need the truth.
The average Christian is so cold and so contented with His wretched condition that there is no vacuum of desire into which the blessed Spirit can rush in satisfying fullness.
Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if the second, then you are an oasis in the desert.
That's how I do this life sometimes by making the ordinary just like magic and just like a card trick and just like a mirror and just like disappearing. Every Indian learns how to be a magician and learns how to misdirect attention and the dark hand is always quicker than the white eye and no matter how close you get to my heart you will never find out my secrets and I'll never tell you and I'll never show you the same trick twice. I'm traveling heavy with illusions.
Since God often sends us inspirations by means of His angels, we should frequently return our aspirations to him by means of the same messengers.
The basic question 'will I obey Christ 's teaching?' is rarely taken as a serious issue. For example, to take one of Jesus' commands, that is relevant to contemporary life, I don't know of any church that actually teaches a church how to bless people who curse them, yet this is a clear command.
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