Bigotry

Bigotry is usually discussed in relation to group dynamics involving race or religion.

My impression is a bit more detailed. I looked to the online definition from Merriam Webster for help:

Full Definition of BIGOTRY 1 : the state of mind of a bigot 2 : acts or beliefs characteristic of a bigot

Uh, gee thanks.

Another source, Wordnik:

The attitude, state of mind, or behavior characteristic of a bigot; intolerance.

Ok, slightly more helpful, but intolerance of what? Anything?

If I don't tolerate rancid week old milk does that make me a bigot? 

From Answers.Yahoo.Com:

Bigotry: A bigot is a person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own, and bigotry is the corresponding state of mind. Bigot is often used as a pejorative term against a person who is obstinately devoted to prejudices even when these views are challenged or proven to be false or not universally applicable or acceptable.

Hmmm.... So a mere challenge of my intolerance of anything makes it bigotry?  Just how are 'views' proven to be false?

I'm finding myself rather intolerant of what appeared, IMAO, to be modern revisions of word definitions.

So, I searched for "older definitions of bigotry form old dictionaries" Came up with a bunch of links about "racism". All our searches are belong to SJW's.

Online Oxford came up with this:

Intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself: Ok, a bit more neutral.

Also from Oxford:

Origin Late 17th century: from bigot, reinforced by French bigoterie.

Links to: Bigot Origin Late 16th century (denoting a superstitious religious hypocrite): from French, of unknown origin.

The origin of "bigot" itself is inherently critical of religion, connecting it with hypocritical superstition. Sounds like 'bigot' was likely used as a slur against Christians, particularly Catholics, in France, but that is just an expression of my bigotry.

 My opinion?

Bigotry is fear or dislike of those different from us, and it is the natural, default human condition.

Those outside our tribe, clique, club etc. initially evoke fear or suspicion.

Is bigotry inherently dishonest?

No, not unless it is express with an air of intellectual superiority, as if you have some special inside knowledge about that which is not tolerated. Self deception is a possibility.

Lazy?

Could be. If I don't examine the reasons for my gut, bigoted reaction.

Cowardly? Definitely not if speaking to a hostile group. Could be posturing or name calling as a defense mechanism.

I don't know if Chesterton had bigotry in mind when he wrote this, but that's what I thought about when I read this:

 “A man is perfectly entitled to laugh at a thing because he happens to find it incomprehensible. What he has no right to do is to laugh at it as incomprehensible, and then criticize it as if he comprehended it. The very fact of its unfamiliarity and mystery ought to set him thinking about the deeper causes that make people so different from himself, and that without merely assuming that they must be inferior to himself. ~G.K. Chesterton: “What I Saw in America.”

Why Orthodox Christianity?

When I was inquiring into the Eastern Orthodox Church I wrote a dairy about my journey titled "Into The Abyss".   It was very much a stream of consciousness depending on what was on my mind and heart at the time, although it was edited a bit from time to time.

This article is an interview of another American convert to Orthodoxy who was also introduced to Christianity very young as a Southern Baptist.

He shares and expresses his similar experience with mine much better than I have been able to when asked "Why did you become Orthodox?".

"
I’d like to say I could give you two reasons, but I can really only give you one. The only reason a person should convert to Orthodoxy is because they believe it to be the “one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” (as confessed in the Creed). Because they believe it to be the fullness of God (Eph. 1:23), the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15), and the temple of the living God (2 Cor. 6:16). Because they believe that there, in a unique and complete way, they can encounter and learn to become like Jesus Christ. Until or unless someone has that singular conviction, all other reasons—beautiful worship, a good grasp on Church history, the Church fathers, the chanting and hymnography, even (with a nod to Seinfeld and George Costanza) “the hats”—are merely icing on the cake. In fact, I have seen a lot of unfortunate and even spiritually tragic stories unfold, in which a person or family converts to Orthodoxy for all the wrong reasons."

Gabe Martini. From Baptist to Orthodox: My Journey of Faith

The Culture War Is Over

Keeping this blog alive as a link to others I find illuminating, entertaining, or informative is the best I can do for now.

The Culture War Is Over

Fate and Freedom

More from David.  I have not read his blog in a while, it looks like I've been missing some good stuff.

Fate And Freedom

Christ Is Risen !!

"Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life"

Voices of Paschal Joy

Saving A Democratic Man

Once more I am crushed and destroyed by the truth.

Saving A Democratic Man

Part 2...

Crap, what a depressing post that last one was.  I just couldn't leave it at the top, even if I don't have much new to write.

Writing inspired by pain and struggle might make good art for some, but too much of a bad thing really suks...heh..

Hopefully more later.....