Anything That's Peaceful

In violent times
You shouldn't have to sell your soul
In black and white
They really, really ought to know
--Tears for Fears

Consistent with recent discussion on these pages, some nice observations in this missive regarding freedom of association. A simple truth here: "Tolerance does not mandate association."

For example, business owners who refuse service to people for whatever reason are, in fact, peacefully exhibiting tolerance. They are also refusing to associate with those people.

Intolerance occurs when aggression is applied. Using state power to force business owners to serve others is the height of intolerance.

If I am bothered by the behavior of those who refuse to deal with others for whatever reason, then I show tolerance by engaging in peaceful acts of persuasion or disassociation rather than in acts of violence.

Tolerance does not mean that we must like what others do. It means that we shouldn't stop them from doing anything that's peaceful.