Conversational intolerance

Conversational intolerance is the practice of rejecting the socially accepted idea of religious tolerance. The term was coined by American writer Sam Harris.

Harris notes that in other areas of life, beliefs are not accepted simply because they are believed. "We do not respect people's beliefs," Harris says. "We evaluate their reasons." However, he claims that there is a taboo against questioning religious beliefs.

Harris believes that dogmas of all types should be challenged, but sees a specific problem with those held by religion. This is because many of those beliefs govern the way people should live, and the nature of the "End times".

In his 2004 book, The End of Faith, Harris writes:

I hope to show that the very ideal of religious tolerance—born of the notion that every human being should be free to believe whatever he wants about God—is one of the principal forces driving us toward the abyss.

See also

• Sam Harris (author)
• The End of Faith
• Letter to a Christian Nation
• Religious tolerance
• Criticism of religion

Further reading

• The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason (2004) ISBN 0-393-03515-8
• Letter to a Christian Nation (2006) ISBN 0-307-26577-3