Theme of the Day is Bigotry

This concept has been on my mind for the past several days, particularly ( not that I just all of a sudden started thinking about such thing.) Anyway, without going to far into my thoughts on the matter, let me move on to the definition:


Bigotry


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.


A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from their own.

Bigot is often used as pejorative term against a person who is obstinately devoted to their prejudices even when these prejudices are challenged, often engaging these prejudices in a rude and intolerant manner. Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology, like racism, religion, and nationalism.

Bigotry is not "intolerance," but "unreasonable intolerance". For example, some Jews may be intolerant of Nazi Anti-Semitism; that doesn't necessarily make them anti-Nazi bigots.

A bigot will continue to hold these opinions even when confronted with evidence that challenges such stereotypes. To protect his views, he may either dismiss the challenges he encounters as an aberration to the norm and ignore the fact that they threaten to undercut his prejudices. On a more extreme level, he may deny the evidence altogether. Both reactions can be classified as forms of cognitive
dissonance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigotry



Now that is better than the quick definition, but I am wondering now, where exactly is the line between passionate belief and plain old fashioned bigotry? Is there an objective standard or not?

More to follow . . . . maybe not today, but I will not drop the matter.