The Pilgrims and the Puritans did not come here to establish religious toleration. On the contrary, they wanted to be in a place where they could be tolerated, not tolerant. The founding fathers must have known this well because the First Amendment calls for the separation of church(es) and state.
First the Anabaptists, then the Quakers, the Shakers, the Ranters, the Levellers, the Diggers, the Calvinists and the Methodists (not to mention the non-denominational institutions or churches). Martin Luther must be “rolling in his grave.” So many sects and the process has not stopped nor is it showing any signs of slowing down. The Thirty Years’ War ended with Catholicism, Lutheranism and Calvinism gaining the right to existence. These three forms of Christianity tolerate each other but sadly none of them seem to tolerate anyone else.
Where does toleration come from? If I accept your right to believe differently from me, but I think I believe the truth and you think you believe the truth, then what has become of truth? And then what are the implications of toleration for “truth”? So many questions, so few answers.
What would make you give up your position on god, and how would you feel about it?
The observer has been observed and now the observed has become the observer. And so it goes.
However, if the observer wants to be observed then by definition he/she gives up his observerhood.
I suppose it’s possible to be observed while observing. I guess it all depends on your power of observation.
