Another Word about Hate
Another Word about Hate
I don’t understand it!
I just don’t understand hate!
Oh, I understand the definitions:
Hatred or hate is a deep and extreme emotion-based dislike, especially invoking feelings of anger or resentment. It can be directed against individuals, groups, entities, objects, behaviors, or ideas. Hatred is often associated with feelings of anger, disgust and a disposition towards hostility.
And I understand hurt and anger and bitterness and resentment.
But I honestly do not understand the passionate attitude of wanting harm to come to another person–wanting their life to be destroyed–wanting their family to suffer.
I admit, in my younger days (and even my older days) I have lapsed into the a mindset of intense dislike, irritation and annoyance, but I don’t remember hating anyone. And I don’t believe I hate anyone now.
So what does it mean when one person sincerely wishes harm–physical and emotional–on another person?
- It is possible to hate a person’s behavior without hating the person? I think it is!
- Is it possible to hate their beliefs and their values? Again, yes!
- Is it possible that hate reveals much more about the hater that it does about the “hatee”–the object of the hatred? Absolutely!
I believe that hate can be seen on a person’s face and heard in their voice.
I believe hate (very much like anger, bitterness and a lack of forgiveness) can and will destroy the “container” in which it resides.
Consider this quote from “Sean of the South” describing himself a few years ago:
If you would’ve asked me, I would’ve told you that people were inherently selfish, and cruel, and self-centered. And when given the chance, people would steal what was yours then eat the jelly beans your mother packed in your lunchbox.
But I was wrong.
People are magnificent creatures with something wonderful inside them. And I don’t care if you believe me, I know it’s true.
And even though there might be hateful people in this world, they’re outnumbered. The lovers, the helpers, the songwriters, and the peacemakers are here. They’re on every street corner, in every shopping mall, restaurant, beer joint, chapel, and Georgia interstate.
And they’re just waiting to give you a spare tire.
So they can change your life forever.
(To read the entire column, click on:
Leave a Comment