Tolerating Intolerance
The Price of Protecting Extremism
Professor Amos N. Guiora
Reviews and Awards
"Tolerating Intolerance is an important book that focuses on the subject of extremism, both religious and secular, while presenting interesting policy considerations. Professor Guiora further develops his ideas on free speech, national security, and tolerance in a convincing manner, placing classical questions in an entirely new light. This book is essential reading for scholars, as well as politicians and general readers interested in the central issues of our time. Well recommended." -Paul Cliteur, Professor of Jurisprudence, Leiden University, The Netherlands
"In Tolerating Intolerance, Professor Guiora is unafraid to make us consider more deeply the consequences of our national semi-sacred language like 'freedom of religion' and 'freedom of speech.' As a pastor of a mainline church, Guiora's insights provoke unrest in me. However, the rise of religious extremism and the misuse of the scripture must be confronted. Moving beyond simplistic notions of individual rights, Guiora forges a compelling vision for the priority of the common good. This book engages believer and non-believer, academic, and any student of life who seeks to move beyond pat phrases and simple solutions." -Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr., Pastor, Head of Staff, Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
"Amos Guiora's latest book is the last in row of more fantastic books from his hand. Tolerating Intolerance should be read by everyone who wants to know how to defend our basic right freedom of speech and about where to draw the line." -Mevr. mr. L.M.J.S. Helder, Member of the Dutch Parliament, Party for Freedom, Lid Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal, Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV)
"Guiora's proposal for dealing with [religious authority, community, speech, and conduct] is notably broad ... Instead of strict scrutiny to protect religious rights, Guiora recommends a relationship of religious deference to the state. The proper balance, in Guiora's view, is achieved with religious subservience to state supremacy. This is not a proposal that is likely to sit well with religions, but neither is it a panacea for societies that accept Guiora's invitation to police and preempt religious extremists in their midst. Guiora observes that societies pay a "price for enabling religious liberty" and for "tolerating religious and cultural extremism" (125- 26). Guiora proposes to pay that price forward in the direction of greater religious scrutiny and restriction by the state in the interests of security and order. In this stark calculus, the threat to religious and other civil rights is the cost of doing business." -Journal of Law and Religion
"This book will be of interest to scholars and students of political extremism. Guiora's vivacious prose, rich with contemporary examples from different countries and informed by interviews with experts, makes this book accessible to lay people as well as academics. The book takes its readers on a fascinating journey of exploration to the boundaries of freedom of expression, which is one of the most difficult dilemmas to occupy the minds of liberals for several generations, from Voltaire and Mill to Dworkin and Waldron." -Raphael Cohen-Almagor, University of Hull, Political Theory
