Respond to other quotes. We also invite you to visit our Take Part section where you'll find additional opportunties to offer feedback and engage in dialogue with other viewers.

Poster: Susie Findlay
Caption: Fine, I have no problem with religion if it is not harming another being. But I do have a problem with religious people not being tolerant toward others, on such topics as condoms to prevent conception and disease, abortions, morning after pill, and the right to die.

Poster: Brian MacLeod
Caption: Does tolerance assume compassion of someone’s beliefs: understanding the conditional nature of beliefs manifested from ones cultural and religious upbringing?

Poster: kishsdb
Caption: we live in the world of liberation and freedom. we are quiet uncertain about the fianl TRUTH. If we are uncertain and unsure we cannot pass judgement on any person belongig to any creed or culture. we need to respect & tolerate each other, not because we are weak but just because we are all pilgrims in searchof the same TRUTH. Dear Rev. Colin McGinn, I agree with you,

Poster: michael webster
Caption: Colin is right! Americans belive and use religon as tool to keep the the sheep in line. If you dare question their beliefs, you will be punished. Branded a wolf trying to steal the sheep. Labeled an outcast. Keep up the good work Bill.

Poster: Bob Strand
Caption: Perhaps because I agree with Mr. McGinn but his observations are so logical. I don't persecute nor critisize any of the faith religons and those who believe as they do aren't bad people for it. However, I strongly dislike the implications from those of faith belief that I am not quite up to their standards because of my lack of belief in any of the faith religons. Wish I would have caught all of this show. Thank you, Bob Strand

Poster: Andy
Caption: Colin McGinn's appearance was a refreshing reminder of what one should expect when one grows up. I also admire his courage at beginning wind surfing at fifty years old. Being young at heart is more useful than remaining a child in the mind. Thank you Colin McGinn.

Poster: Bernice Franks
Caption: The recent rise of fundamentalism is a backlash to the wars and horrors (the atomic bombs, world wars, genocides) that surfaced in the last century at a time of great scientific and technological advances and when the ordinary people of the world had so much hope. The rise of fundamentalist Islam is opportunistic and accelerated in response to the decline and self- doubt and thrashing about of the west, which has lost faith in secularism, science and reason as a way to solve problems. They've forgotten however that faith has a worse record in the world than secularism does.

Poster: Chandrakant Thanawalla
Caption: I agree with you wholeheartedly. But, even before one 'tolerates', meaning criticizes some one else's belief's, one must have have an open mind to accept their beliefs for what they are. I think this is what spirituality is all about. Today, however, there are many 'believers' who think they have attained spirituality because of their beliefs, when in reality one doesn't have to be a believer to be spiritual. I also agree that people should not be persecuted for their beliefs. But what does one do when their beliefs begin to influence governmental policies that have global impact such as affecting the global warming. For example, some believers discount the effects of the global warming as 'God's will' and their resources and their influence on government policies are preventing the U.S. from giving serious consideration to doing something about the global warming. But global warming, when, and not if, begins to raise its ugly head, it wouldn't just affect the believers, it affects people all over the world who may not be believers or are of different beliefs. So, the issue goes considerably beyond criticizing or even persecuting people for their beliefs. It depends upon what weight their beliefs carry in changing the 'landscape' of the planet we ALL live on.

Poster: Billy Sandlin
Caption: Intelligent, reasonable men only disagree if they have a different God. Mr. McGinn has a God. And reasoned faith is not an oxymoron as Mr. McGinn suggests. Debate is welcomed.

Poster: christamrmott@aol.com
Caption: The philosopher is on his way to belief. As he windsails he experiences the great unknown, the wind, he is also on the great unknown ,the water, and he himself is the mystery, mensch. Give him time and he will know that there is one greater than himself. All he has to do is open up to and study and he will find the truth. Thank you for your candidness about your discovery of wind surfing even if it is as late as being now in his fifties. I just hope he will have enough time toget through to the truth in this life time. Its comforting to think of the possibility ofanother chance the next time around. Thank you, bill, for your valuable sharing with us your guests. I also was impressed for mary gordon's courage to look at ourselves in our culture's crass display of sick moral mores and materialisms. The beauty of the earth and skys certainly woul also be something worthwile to die for, don't you agree? Keeping the planet's life going on alittle longer might be a good reason to fight for rather than killing eachother. Maybe mankind finally will get together for the purpose of appreciating eachother and than together endeaver to help making life well for everyone. Again ,thanks, mr moyer and guests for an enlightening evening. I also enjoyed greatly the campbell series and seeing belief systems expressed in ever somany ways.best regards, peace and love, christa mott

Poster: tgw
Caption: It would seem that Christians would welcome the whole notion of persecution, as Jesus taught that they would not only be persecuted but they would be blessed because of it. Apparently true belief invites persecution, not just criticism.

Poster: s siddons
Caption: I enjoyed the frankness, that this show brings to TV. Usually you get only one side , but moyers give equal time to express their beliefe and views. Thanks

Poster: duncanek
Caption: Critisism is essential for testing truth and utility of that being scrutinized. It is not, (if delivered with COMPASSION)PERSECUTION. Critsism good, persecution bad. And the beat goes on....what is, is and all the rhetoric is entertainment.

Poster: Kathleen Devine
Caption: Tolerance of someone else's belief is part of participating in this government that has been established by the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. It is when laws are written that requires the group to come to some concensus of how we shall live together and in that process of law making the beliefs of the minority are criticized and if the law is passed then the beliefs of the minotity are persecuted. FOr example, those who believe in the protection of life begins at conception feel persecuted for their efforts to end the law allowing abortion. ANd currently, those that believe a marriage can only between a man and a woman expect that if a marriage between same sexes is permissible through the law then their own marriages will be persecuted by the possible new legal definition that had been out voted by those who do not believe as they do. As a nation the US has certainly persecuted the native people's by enacting laws defining how and where they can live. THe native people had beliefs on where they should live and how they could provide for themselves. SO far, only Canada has given back to the Inuit their right to govern their native lands in the new political unit of Nunavut. It would be interesting to know how Mr. McGinn expects groups to self govern. FOr example, the maybe the government should not be addressing issues of life, marriage but then how do we dismantle the institution. US society addressed the institution of slavery as a law and it was resolved through civil war. DOes Mr. MCGinn have methods to address these confrontations? Are those times when each person's code of morality must be tested?

Poster: cora attilio
Caption: Bravo and thank you. Feels like a breath of fresh air to hear Prof. Mc Ginn. Even NPR airs a show on faith 3x over the weekend. More reason,please.

Poster: Cesar
Caption: Colin's appearance on this great series is indeed very refreshing. As to his comment on distinguishing between tolerance and criticism, I thought it was very important to put that out there given the climate today where religious fundamentalists are using the cover of being under attack (for their religious beliefs)to further expand and impose their way of thinking onto society. This is more obvious now that they have a president that is very much in league with those who want to dismantle the separation of Church and State and impose Biblical Morality onto society. Criticism is crucial for all people to better understand the issues and to get at the truth of any topic including religion. To claim that criticism is the same as condemnation is not only wrong but cowardly. If thoses who uphold a certain belief truly believe, they should have the confidence to face and listen to all criticism and respond to thoses criticisms. We can only learn from this.

Poster: Bill
Caption: Nope, Brian, tolerance does not assume compassion. That takes an extra investment.

Poster: Susan Weston
Caption: It is so refreshing to hear what I believe so clearly stated. Thank you, Professor McGinn.

Poster: Nicole Beckum
Caption: I believe Professor McGinn used some very important words in his statement: criticize, persecute and tolerate. First, let me say I believe if we could all use the dictionary definition of these words, we would be much closer to a true respect for others and their beliefs. We might then all know how beneficial or detrimental the words and actions can be and use them with extreme caution. I have long found it interesting how many religions speak of tolerance, love, understanding and acceptance yet the actions do not mimic the words. Tolerance, not persecution due to differences in beliefs, is what, as an evolved human race, we should all be striving for. Professor McGinn's comments are of the best kind -- they require one to spend some quality introspective time.

Poster: Mary Baldwin
Caption: Colin Mcginn, How Refreshing , someone who says what I feel.

Poster: Larry Westrum
Caption: Most people want acceptance when in fact tolerance is all you can reasonably expect. One of the dividing wedges comes from how we read. Take the case of American history. Some read it devotionally and others read it critically. I think those who read American history devotionally tend to have a very different world view from those who read critically. The same is true with religion. Those who want more religion in the public discourse aren't necessarily interested in analysis or debate, they seem to want a greater opportunity for evangelism. This is where the veneer of tolerance begins to peal.

Poster: Naoma Foreman
Caption: I applauded at the conclusion of Mr. McGinn's discussion. He speaks exactly what I believe. Having given up on all religion at age 9 I never looked back and believe he is so RIGHT.

Poster: IndianAgnostic
Caption: McGinn hit the nail on the head. We really should be careful about the line between criticism and persecution. Relativism is dangerous and so is political correctness in the name of multiculturalism, if it subverts open, rational criticism and dialogue. This happens all too often in America.

Poster: Susan White
Caption: I enjoyed Professor McGinn's discussion and agree completely that freedom to worship (or not) as one chooses is a fundamental right. That right should be respected, and protected. However, religionists cross the line when they attempt to frame public policy to adhere to their religious ideology, which is clearly the agenda of fundamentalist christians at the present time. The national discourse on issues such as abortion, contraception, stem cell research, sex education, gay marriage, intelligent design in the classroom, etc., deserve a dialog that is completely free of religious bias, and based only on rational, logical argument. The observance of religious faith belongs in the home, and in the church. Once outside those boundaries, religious belief certainly invites scrutiny, criticism, and opposition.

Poster: barbara
Caption: Meg Wheatley says it is not our differences that separate us, but our judgement about our differences that does. I can live with, respect and learn from people who believe in God when they are respectful of people of other religions, other beliefs & those who may not believe in God, like me. For a religious right to support a war (kill & be killed) to 'free' another country's people and then judge those in their own country who have different beliefs is the piece I just do not understand. They fight for another country's freedome but limit people's freedom in the US when these freedoms are hurting no one. If we can foster respect instead of power we can foster love, respect and peace....the spirit of their God, no? Am I missing something? I respect their beliefs, I just do not understand their reasoning. I appreciate this series so much, thank you Bill & thank you to all of your guests. Bravo!

Poster: Dennis Fleming
Caption: The Colin McGinn quote about tolerance is absolutely fundamental to people of faith as well as atheists, agnostics, gnostics. Criticism done with compassion is a requirement for a civilized people. Thank you, Colin.

Poster: Mindy Kronenberg
Caption: Professor McGinn's statement makes an important distinction between tolerance and acceptance. If we aspire to be critical thinkers respectful of freedom of choice, then we must acknowledge the diversity of belief systems that exists in this world and understand that others will subscribe to ideas we might find peculiar, primitive, or naive. Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right-- including the right to reject religion entirely. In a democracy, it's important to promote an ongoing dialogue of varying worldviews that encourages discovery and enlightment through discourse. How can we better learn about ourselves and our place in the world than by engaging those who seem so different than we are?

Poster: Barry
Caption: First a demur about the word toleration. I dislike it in the context of a discussion about religious beliefs because it suggests that one is—perhaps begrudgingly—putting up with something one finds distasteful. Rather than toleration I'd prefer that we practice impartiality. I accept that people have a wide range of religious beliefs and are entitled to believe what they wish, but only as long as they extend the same right to others. When they do not, they should be subjected to public opprobrium. I agree with Dr. McGinn that systems of belief should be exposed to criticism and analysis. Although I am obligated to respect the right of another to hold an opinion, I am not obligated to respect the validity of that opinion. One opinion that seems invalid to me is the claim that America is a Christian nation and that our system of government is based upon Christian beliefs. It is true that culturally the majority of Americans have been and are at least nominally Christian. But our system of government as embodied in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights is the brain child of the Enlightenment, not of Christianity. We have enjoyed the freedom to be a religious nation comprising many sects precisely because the Founders had the wisdom to establish a secular government that would not favor any one sect over another, nor esteem the believer more than the non-believer.

Poster: Nancy Drake
Caption: Thank you.

Poster: Tomas de la Milera
Caption: One should never think or say there own religion is the best, by the simple fact of criticizing we do just that. Some peoples perceptions, which is another word for beleif, is carried out as a ritual toward the divine. Never denounce the religions of others. It should be realized that it is not by religious acts but by putting off of great sins that is true religion. 'Moral Prefection' the up and coming religion may be a tough concept for those of us who have practiced the traditional approach, but these are the rewards of the birth to maturity.