Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Vin21]

"Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others."

rather=on the contrary?
Could anyone explain the whole meaning of the sentence in a way that would be easily understood?
Thanks!

[stellara]

in that context, it can also mean to the contrary, yes. or it does, better said.
other meanings are: you do something rather than something else --> you prefer one thing to another. you can also use rather to express a modicum (?), for example "it's rather warm" --> it's not cold but not exactly warm either.

hmm.. I'd interpret it so:

If you're tolerant, it doesn't mean that you don't stand behind your own opinion/beliefs or arguments or that you are unsure about them in any way. it just means that you think that everyone has the right to have his/her own decision, opinion, argument, belief, whatever. If you're tolerant you let others have their own opinion, you don't want everyone to agree you (in a situation where there's no exact right or wrong, that is). if you do so, then you oppress someone's own will or opinion, and for that you can't be tolerant, because it's a contrary that cannot be united.

is this okay so?
greets
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[tri]

In this case, rather means on the contrary, just the opposite..

Tolerance is certainly not about lack of commitment to one�s beliefs..Just the opposite..It condemns oppression and persecution of others..

[Vin21]

Thanks,Stellara and Tri.
I still don't quite understand the latter part.
Does "it" mean "tolerance"?

[bud]

Yes, "Tolerance condemns opression..."