"Toleration, holding that every other man
has the same right to his opinion and faith
that we have to ours; and liberty, holding
that no human being can with certainty say,
in the clash and conflict of human faiths
and creeds, what is truth, or that HE is
SURELY in possession of it, so every one
should feel that it is quite possible that
another, equally honest and sincere himself,
and yet holding the contrary opinion, may
himself be in possession of the truth, and
that whatever one firmly and conscientiously
believes, IS truth, TO HIM -- these are the mortal
enemies of that fanaticism which persecutes for
opinion's sake, and initiates crusades against
whatever it, in its imaginary holiness, deems to
be contrary to the law of God or verity of dogma.
And education, instruction and enlightenment are
the most certain means by which fanaticism and
intolerance can be rendered powerless." |
