How "tolerant" are you/do you need to be?

[neonblack]

well, I'm reading this quite often at many different places so I'd also like to discuss it here...

how about your tolerance toward's "normal" people? do you consider yourself as someone who's rather outside of society or do you try to cope with it as much as possible, especially in terms of accepting/toleration all "mainstream" stuff?
or, maybe you're a die-hard metalhead being entirely caught up in your musical-world and have no interest or understanding for what's going on outside of it?

then there would also be the question in how far tolerance towards everyone or everything is really necessary...after all it might get a bit difficult if you have no clear direction as you might agree or be fine with about every attitude or musical taste...

is metal really so different to any other subculture? are metalheads somewhat more tolerant or even more intolerant towards the rest of society which might either ignore or not accept them as stereotypes are always a good alternative for not thinking or being critical?

and when does "fanatism" start and where should it really stop?

your opinions please

[Sneltrekker]

First off, I'm a fanatic, in everything I do. I'm a warmblooded, passionate person after all.

About tolerance, I don't care if people disagree with me, I will still like them more than the masses that are too ignorant to form an opinion.

I simple -despise- mainstream, grey, average people that only believe in what the media tells them to believe, someone should put those people in a planter and water them twice a day ffs.

At least neo-nazis, fundy muslims, Fred Phelps, and other people I don't like, they fight for what they believe. And while I may despise their ideas and think of them as crackpots, I do -respect- them for having an opinion and being vocal about it.

Now, that aside, I do make an effort to cope with society. If I put on fancy clothes, groom my hair a bit, I could pass for almost a mainstream person. I don't wear my spiked collar outside of concerts or special occasions, I don't have piercings (yet).

I know, that in 18 months from now I'll be thrust into real life, and starting then I'll be forced to get myself a mainstream, middle-management job. I despise the idea, I truely do. But it's the only way I'd be able to live a comfortable life with my girlfriend. Maybe if I didn't have her I'd grab a backpack and begin wandering the planet aimlessly after I finish college, but for her, I want to give her the best life I can give.

"is metal really so different to any other subculture?"

Different than other subcultures? Mh, seeing as most my friends aren't actually metalheads, but grungies, hippies, altos, goths, punks, etc, I don't think it's that much different. I have another musical taste, but apart from that we are all willing to fight for our freedom. I'll even go this far: Had I lived in North-Ireland, Basque Country, Palestine, ... I'd be one of the most likely people to join a freedom fighters organisation (dubbed terrorists by the mass media). If the flemish movement had not been hijacked by the right and by racists I'd be fighting for an independent flanders even. But I think that would only result in a country where racist scum becomes even more powerful.

Anyway, I guess that pretty much sums up my believes. If it's not clear you can always ask questions.

[CoralSkywalker]

Hmm, I think I can call myself a really tolerant person actually.. I mean, I like to stand out for my opinion/taste and all, but I always try to understand what others have to say as well..

Dunno how to put this really, but it's in my nature to not be very extreme (in anything).. Some people might call it boring ^^ but I think that living your life in a moderate (right, that's not the correct word) way is the best way to live it..
This used to be different though.. but I learnt that being obsessive/fanatical about certain things only make you unhappy in the end.. I used to live a life of ups and downs, but since I try to live in a more 'in between' way, I'm a much happier person ^^ (this is mostly due to some wicca influences really.. take no notice ^^)

I like to combine all sorts of believes and opinions and form my own.. I'll never act or think in an extreme/fundamental way..

[jamahara]

What i see tolerance as, is non-existant bullshit.

I get far too many stupid leaflets through the door saying "ZOMG G0D R00LZ!" and its quite annoying. I dont go up to Church doors and put leaflets on thier benches and whatnot saying "Athiesm For The Win!". So why dont they step the hell back away from my life, and be tolerant and stop pushing me to join the ranks of sheep?

But i guess i should just go into a Church and scream "Satan!" or something, after all the crap Christians have put me through. Them and thier stupid commandments spawning the laws of old and new, giving my dad the excuse to beat me about like a little shit with belts and boots alike. Im just looking for total destruction of the Church, and all other religions after that. Christianty is but a poison used by people for thier own twisted ways.