“Tolerance only operates among differences, not sameness. No one has to tolerate ideas similar to their own. In fact, to speak of tolerance in such situations is meaningless. Tolerance implies not only differences but also stress and tension because of those differences. We measure the strength of metals by assessing how they tolerate stressors like vibration, heat, and cold. So too our tolerance levels are measured by the stresses of competing religious claims. We truly tolerate each other when our competing ideas are stressors. Different religious beliefs cause us to put our own beliefs to the test. That’s true tolerance. And tolerance can lead to clarity.”
― Saving Truth: Finding Meaning and Clarity in a Post-Truth World
― Saving Truth: Finding Meaning and Clarity in a Post-Truth World
“It's okay to disagree with each other, what's not okay is to hate each other because we disagree.”
― All For Acceptance
― All For Acceptance
“There will always be a part of your life that’s not quite in order. This is the growth part, the area where lessons come from. Embrace this! Learn from it, and then move on.”
― The Writings of Ron Baratono
― The Writings of Ron Baratono
“The truth wasn’t hard to find. It was hard to embrace.”
― Saving Truth: Finding Meaning and Clarity in a Post-Truth World
― Saving Truth: Finding Meaning and Clarity in a Post-Truth World
“Those who cannot understand what they've read should probably reread it.”
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Shem’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Shem’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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