The Intolerance of Tolerance

November 4, 2001

by John F. Schmidt

In the wake of the September 11 terrorism attacks, the New York City Public schools were instructed to reinstate the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States before class. Predictably, there were howls of protest from those who felt that some students would not want to participate and might be offended when other students ostracized them. Even the ACLU, predictably, leaped in with concerns that students might be harassed. Ann Curry on NBC’s Today Show of October 19, 2001 suggested that in addition to “renewing ... a symbol of patriotism,” that “perhaps the school systems across the country really should be thinking about renewing a lesson about tolerance.”

Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance has now become intolerance?

We have been fed such a steady diet of this illogical thought that most people accept it as the way it ought to be. But we forget that this is America, a country where the citizens practice ordered liberty. It is ordered because we have agreed to certain rules of conduct. And we enjoy liberty because within these rules we are free to do what we want. Part of the way we maintain that order is to instill in our youth respect for the flag and the institutions and ideals it represents. It is a matter of self-preservation as a nation.

Since the recent attack we are pulling together. But many are afraid of offending those who want to enjoy the benefits of living here, but refuse to honor our basic ideals. Those who would rescind the requirement to salute the flag and recite the pledge claim it is not tolerant to require it.

The new doctrine of tolerance is very hostile to the idea of majority rule. In fact, it exalts the individual to the very epitome of sovereignty. No one can dictate to a sovereign person. Therefore, if one doesn’t want to salute the flag, no one can make him. But the advocates of tolerance take it to new heights: No one should be able to make me feel bad by saluting the flag in my presence. If prayer offends me, no one should be able to make me feel bad by praying in my presence. However, no one in the majority may be offended by any actions or ideas of the anointed minority.

Of course we recognize it’s not fair to require people to submit to things that are repugnant to their conscience. No one should be forced to salute or pray. But we have lost our way when we force the majority to submit to the minority.

We have actually arrived at this point in the minds of many in our media and cultural elite. They actually believe that if one is offended, none may practice.

But what is tolerance? The protesting minority is intolerant to tell the majority they are wrong if they want to salute the flag. The majority is tolerant to permit the minority to not participate. In a free country, the majority makes the rules, not the minority.

A few students refuse to salute the flag and recite the Pledge. Should they have to? No, but they should not be exalted to a position of moral superiority, where the rest are scolded for saluting the flag or reciting the Pledge in their presence.

Suppose some of those who refuse get criticized? Shouldn’t they have to explain themselves? Whose hospitality are they enjoying when they attend free public school in America?

If they are not citizens, or don’t want to participate on principle, then so be it. But let’s not let any muddle-headed commentator criticize us for pulling together around flag or country. For all its faults, it is still the most blessed nation on Earth. Thank God for America. I am proud to salute its flag. We all should be proud to do so.

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John F. Schmidt has written numerous articles over the last decade. Politically, he is an Alan Keyes-type Republican. Along with his wife, he has organized voter drives in Pennsylvania, and been active politically since the 1990 elections. His livelihood, until recently, was spent in automation engineering for a large global equipment manufacturing company, specializing in coal mining. WANB in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania hosted Schmidt's weekly talk radio program "Issues and Answers." His writing is intended to relate the headlines of today to the foundation of eternal truth - the Scriptures. He currently resides in Palm Beach County, Florida. Visit his website at: Inalienable-Rights.org

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