Testing My Tolerance

Voltaire's "Treatise on Tolerance" was decent. He makes some exceptional, forward-thinking statements, especially for his time. He wants everyone to stop squabbling over religion and let each other live in peace. Excellent proposition, sir! But the execution of this plan seems slightly illusive, Voltaire. Next time you're trying to start a movement, a game plan would be nice.

I had to read this for my Trials class (well, actually I only had to read the first and last five chapters, but I figured I had already waded through the bulk of the intellectual material, I might as well finish it and count it toward 52 in 52). He really does make some good points, supported by facts and logical analysis. I had 2 problems though: no strategy to implement his plan, and his style was incredibly condescending. In referring to his Christian beliefs, he made statements like, "Our faith is divine, we must forgive others for their misconceptions." I lost a bit of respect for Voltaire when I found out he was religious; while he was spouting the ideals of tolerance, he was simultaneously belittling those who were not Christians. Yuck.