Discussion Issue:
   Should we Tolerate Fanatics?

"Freedom" and "tolerance" are generally assumed to be basic tenets in the popular view of a democracy, such as the United States.  This includes religious tolerance, political tolerance, racial tolerance, etc. BUT ... to what extent do weNote 1 really mean that? Freedom to worship a religion that believes in, and practices, human sacrifice. Tolerance of those who practice a worship involving human sacrifices.   Freedom to practice witchcraft (and tolerance of those who do).   Freedom to practice a religion that believes in plural marriages (i.e., multiple wives) as commonly practiced by the Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints) in the early history of the United States. Tolerance of those who practice in plural marriages (i.e., multiple wives) as did early Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints) and some groups even today.   Freedom to practice abortions Tolerance of people who give and receive abortions   Freedom to execute people judged to be criminals Tolerance of people who execute those judged to be criminals.   Freedom to worship peace with a religious belief to not participate in war. Tolerance of people who are conscientious objectors.   Freedom to assist the terminally ill to end their life. Tolerance of people who assist the terminally ill to end their life.   Freedom to practice a religion that requires the covering of one's face in public. Tolerance of people who hide their faces in public.   2009-2010-12-11 - Five young men from the United States of radical Muslim persuasion traveled to Afghanistan/Pakistan seeking to join terrorist groups to become trained as suicide bombers so they can return to the United States, carry out mass destruction, and thereby become "martyrs" according to their religious beliefs.   Freedom to create and stockpile weapons of mass destruction. Tolerance of people (nations) who create and stockpile weapons of mass destruction. Note 1 - Remember, "we" includes people who are: Democrats Republicans Liberals Conservatives Progressives Moderates Libertarians The Right, the Far Right, and the So-Far-Right-they-can-see Russia The Left, the Far Left, and the So-Far-Left-they-blend with the socialists The Center, the Middle, and the Can't-Decide-what-they-are Socialists Constitutionists Greens (Green party) Objectivists Objectionists Whigs .... It also includes people of the following faiths: Christian (including Protestant, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Mormon, etc.) Judaism Islam Buddhism Hinduism Unitarian Universalism Sikhism Native American Religous practices as well as Athiests, Agnostics, etc.