Hatred & Violence

Hatred

Once again we find ourselves embroiled in hate and violence. And even worse the hate and violence is feeding off of each other. It is not even easy to distinguish a difference in it among those that are involved – and in many ways we are all involved. I am not talking “blame” at this point. I am just referring to the hate and violence itself.

I cannot understand the mindset of those that identify themselves as Nazi’s, White Supremacists or KKK members. The beliefs that these people hold are morally repugnant to me and against the beliefs that I hold as a disciple of Christ. To truly hate somebody is bad enough. After all, Jesus tells us “that to be angry with others will make us subject to judgement,” – Matthew 5:22. But to hate somebody strictly because of their race, ethnicity or color is something that I cannot truly grasp or understand. So on a moral level; I can’t justify the beliefs and actions taken by people with such hate in their hearts.

There is, however, a legal side here. Article [I] (Amendment 1 - Freedom of expression and religion) gives, among other things, the freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble peaceably. There are exceptions to these two rights. As an example, you cannot shout out “Fire” in a crowded movie theatre (unless there actually is a fire, in which case please do share that). But we always need to be careful here because the more exceptions that we add the more likely that we will end up with so many exceptions that we will be hard pressed to decide what we can, and can’t, say. And while there are situations where most people can agree on, we will eventually have to decide where that line is – and then keep track as it moves back and forth. For example, I might find it in bad taste but should I be able to have you arrested for starting a joke with, “Two Christians walk into a…”?

Then there were the counter protesters. I am sure that there were many that showed up in Charlottesville objecting to the beliefs held by those that were protesting. And on a moral basis I support those that did so. I would suggest that they had the “moral high ground.” But I also believe that once hate enters the picture, that moral high ground goes away. My hatred is no better or worse than yours. It is merely hatred. And that hatred leads to…

Violence

While hatred removes the moral stand of the person/group, the violence removes the legal rights of the person/group. Once you become violent - throwing things, hitting people or vandalizing - you lose, or at least should lose, your legal standing and should be subject to criminal prosecution. Why? Because of the same Constitutional amendment I mentioned previously – the freedom to assemble peaceably. We have the right to assemble and protest. We do not have the right to hurt others while we are doing that; no matter what the other side is saying. I do not have the right to break the law just because something you are doing offends me. Like it or not, this should be the same for both sides.

All of this hatred and violence results in a no-win scenario. It doesn’t solve anything and only exacerbates the problem. To counter hate with hate, or violence with violence is something that we do as children, but should grow out of. We can disagree with others and still love them. There is an intense rivalry between Red Sox and Yankee fans, but I am happy and proud to say that some of my friends are Yankee fans. We can argue, disagree and taunt each other over this - but I still love them. And this should apply to any situation. We don’t have to agree; we don’t have to like it; we do have to love.

Martin Luther King Jr once said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Continue to fight for your beliefs. They are, or should be, important to you – important enough to take your time and effort. But rise above the hate and the violence. Be a light in the world and let others see what that can do.

Say a prayer for somebody today.

Scott