From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Tue Nov 09 2004 - 21:32:50 GMT
Scott,
> While I agree that my use of "idiots" was unnecessarily pejorative, isn't
> that more a breach of etiquette than bigotry?
To employ ad hominem attacks such as calling those who disagree "idiots"
reflects a state of mind that fits the definition of a bigot: "a person
obstinately and intolerantly devoted to his own opinions and prejudices."
I'm sure you're aware of what Pirsig said about such ad hominem attacks --
"a form of evil." (LC, Note 140)
> I could have said "Christians
> who hold with a view that I consider to be of very low level of
> intellectual Quality" instead. Would that make it a polite form of bigotry?
No. Your qualifications reflect a more open and tolerant state of mind.
> Since I know that you do not hold with the extreme relativist position that
> all views have equal validity, is it bigotry to point out that a particular
> view is wrong?
It is if you simultaneously launch an ad hominem attack.
> Also, they didn't just defeat the forces of elitist secularism, but also
> the forces of a different kind of religious understanding.
Could you amplify what you mean? Would a "different kind of religious
understanding" support higher taxes to support more government programs?
> (And why did you
> see the need to add the word "elitist" -- couldn't it just be that
> secularists think that they are right, and therefore, more intelligent,
> than those they oppose? Isn't that everyone's opinion who has an opinion?)
Certainly not. I have different opinions from many who contribute to this
forum. But I don't conclude that I'm more intelligent than those who
disagree with me. That would be the height of Rigelism. The word "elitist"
refers to "a group of persons who by virtue of position or education
exercise much power or influence," an accurate description of many in
academia and the media.
Platt
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