CHARITY TOWARD LUNATICS
In Mark Twain’s characteristic style, he portrayed varying religious and political perspectives as he called for civility and charity as we evaluate these opinions of others:When I, a thoughtful and unbiased Presbyterian, examine the Koran, I know that beyond any question every Mohammedan is insane; not in all things, but in religious matters. When a thoughtful and unbiased Mohammedan examines the Westminster Catechism, he knows that beyond any question I am spiritually insane.I cannot prove to him that he is insane, because you never can prove anything to a lunatic — for that is part of his insanity and the evidence of it. He cannot prove to me that I am insane, for my mind has the same defect that afflicts his. All Democrats are insane, but not one of them knows it; none but the Republicans and the Mugwumps know it. All the Republicans are insane, but only the Democrats and Mugwumps can perceive it. The rule is perfect: in…
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