Yondara_The ChaosMage
What your friend seems unable to grasp, is that there is a MAJOR difference between tolerating something and accepting it.
I tolerate the existance of Phelps and his lackeys. I do not, and will not, accept them.
Do I actively go out of my way to ruin or harm them? No, as much as I might love to. They have just as much privelage to their oppinion as I do to mine. But will I throw away every opportunity to prove to them just how Unchristian they truely are? Hells no. Especially since I don't even SHARE the religion, but understand it better than them.
I tolerate people who say that your age should dictate who you can legally date. Will I ever accept them? No.
I tolerate people who can't spell Orca whale. Will I ever accept them into my life? Not a chance.
It is completely possible to be against a particular thing, while maintaining some minimal sense of open-mindedness. That's the end of the story-book, jungen und madchen. El fin.
Hehehe, Fred Phelps... Around here, we don't HAVE to tolerate him, ooooh no! He has to tolerate US! He won't even come to my city because we just OWN him everytime he comes! Yay liberal college town!
Although, the age thing you mentioned? It's there for good reasons. You may think you know what you're doing at a young age, but you don't, and that can cause trouble. Besides, it's actually just for sexual contact, not dating. Regardless, it is against the social norm of our society.