Both tolerance and respect are empty virtues until we actually understand whatever it is we are supposed to be tolerating or respecting.
Interpretation
Understanding is essential to true tolerance and respect.
This quote by Stephen Prothero highlights that true tolerance and respect are not merely passive feelings but require a deeper understanding of the beliefs, practices, and backgrounds of others. Without comprehension, these virtues lack substance, and we risk merely going through the motions without genuine engagement or appreciation of diversity.
In practice
In a speech about promoting cultural awareness, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of understanding different backgrounds.
Pretending that the worldβs religions are the same does not make our world safer. Like all forms of ignorance, it makes our world more dangerous. What we need on this furiously religious planet is a realistic view of where religious rivals clash and where they can cooperate.
Diversity and independence are important because the best collective decisions are the product of disagreement and contest, not consensus or compromise.
Accepting good advice means nothing other than to strengthen one's own ability.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
The misfortune of the wise is better than the prosperity of the fool.
I may do some good before I am dead--be a sort of success as a frightful example of what not to do; and so illustrate a moral story.
There is an authentic biology of hope. Belief and expectation - the key elements of hope - can block pain by releasing the brain's endorphins and enkephalins, mimicking the effects of morphine.
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