The Hypocrisy of Tolerance: Examining John Oliver’s Attack on Alliance Defending Freedom

Ingrid Jacques’ recent column in USA TODAY tackles a critical issue plaguing contemporary discourse: the erosion of genuine tolerance in favor of a "my way or the highway" mentality, particularly prevalent within certain segments of the left. Jacques argues that while both sides of the political spectrum may be guilty of this inflexibility, it manifests most egregiously in the progressive sphere, citing examples like cancel culture and the stifling of conservative voices on college campuses.

The column focuses on the troubling trend of liberals readily labeling those with differing viewpoints as "Nazi," "Hitler," "bigot," or "hater," effectively shutting down any possibility of constructive dialogue. Jacques uses John Oliver’s recent segment on his HBO show "Last Week Tonight" as a prime example of this labeling phenomenon, specifically his 30-minute attack on the Christian legal firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).

Oliver’s characterization of ADF is particularly concerning. He claims that the organization actively cultivates a "misleadingly friendly face" to mask an "utterly hateful ideology" that thrives on public ignorance of its true nature. Jacques contends that without providing sufficient background information, Oliver’s portrayal could easily lead viewers to a false conclusion that ADF is engaged in something truly nefarious.

Jacques argues that Oliver’s screed lacks factual accuracy and relies heavily on manipulation and distortion. She quotes Kristen Waggoner, president and CEO of ADF, who describes Oliver’s segment as "an unfortunately predictable exercise in manipulating audiences with sound bites, statements, and distorted narratives with little to no context, designed to draw applause more than present truth." Waggoner further accuses Oliver of substituting genuine engagement with ADF’s issues with "outdated tropes and vulgar laugh lines" that serve as propaganda aimed at silencing principled dissent.

Jacques highlights ADF’s stated mission to "advance the God-given right to freely live and speak the truth," emphasizing the organization’s impressive track record of defending constitutional rights. Since 2011, ADF has directly represented the winning parties in 15 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and has played a significant role in numerous other victories since its founding in 1994. Jacques points out that the rights ADF seeks to defend, particularly those related to free speech and religious freedom enshrined in the First Amendment, are fundamental to American democracy.

Oliver’s segment specifically criticized ADF’s involvement in cases such as those of Colorado cake baker Jack Phillips and Colorado web designer Lorie Smith. Both individuals, represented by ADF, successfully argued before the Supreme Court that the government could not force them to create messages about marriage that conflicted with their deeply held religious beliefs. Jacques notes that while Oliver may find these beliefs "hilarious," this does not justify denying these individuals their inherent rights to act according to their faith in public life.

Jacques reveals that she has personally spoken with Phillips and Smith, and she emphatically rejects the labels of "bigot" and "hater" often applied to them. Instead, she characterizes them as individuals who simply wish to serve their customers while upholding their First Amendment rights within their creative work.

A significant portion of Oliver’s critique focuses on ADF’s involvement in LGBTQ-related issues, particularly its opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Jacques refutes the claim that ADF’s position stems from "hate." Instead, she argues that it is rooted in concerns about fairness and the preservation of existing laws such as Title IX, which protects against sex-based discrimination in schools receiving federal funding.

Jacques emphasizes that ADF’s stance on transgender athletes aligns with the views of a significant portion of the American public. She cites a recent NBC News Stay Tuned poll indicating that 75% of Americans oppose transgender athletes competing on female teams, and 71% believe that there are only two genders: male and female. This data suggests that ADF’s position on this issue is far from extreme or fringe.

Oliver also raised concerns about an ADF-related case currently before the Supreme Court, which involves the potential establishment of the first religious charter school in the country in Oklahoma. Oliver criticized the school’s policy of interacting with students and staff based on their "biological sex." Jacques acknowledges that the United States is a diverse nation with a wide range of perspectives on various issues. She reiterates that the Constitution provides a framework for balancing these competing interests.

In conclusion, Jacques argues that if liberals like John Oliver are truly committed to combating intolerance and "hate," they must begin by examining their own behavior and biases. She suggests that shutting down dissenting voices with accusatory labels and relying on distorted narratives undermines genuine dialogue and hinders the pursuit of a more tolerant and understanding society.