Pertinent (and impertinent) Bertrand Russell Quotes

[MineralMan]

34. Someone posted a video of Bertrand Russell calling for tolerance.

In reality, Russell was a person who promoted tolerance. However, he opined about religion and those who followed it. He looked at religious belief from a logical perspective and found it wanting. Many of us feel the same way.

He wrote about such things, and spoke about them. He was a philosopher. That's what they do. Intolerance requires some sort of action that affects others. I doubt anyone will find any evidence that Bertrand Russell ever displayed actual intolerance. Why? Because intolerance is no more logical than religious belief. Indeed, religious belief often leads to intolerance. Of that there is ample evidence throughout history.

It's always amusing when the dominant religion in a particular society cries out that it is being persecuted. Amusing, because it is almost always that dominant religion that is doing the persecuting. Common sense dictates that one not poke at a bear with a stick. It's unsafe to do so. The dominant philosophy or religion of a culture is dominant for a reason. They are not going to be the persecuted, but rather the persecutor.

It would be funny if it were not so sad and frightening, really.