Hating is Serious Business
Some of those reading this can recall a television show called “Our Gang.”
It flourished in the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s, but enjoyed a comeback
in the ‘70s. It featured a lovable group of kids who occasionally got into
mischief. Viewers identified with “Spanky,” “Alfalfa,”
“Buckwheat” and others of the regular cast. One of the funnier aspects
of the show was to watch the little boys establish and join the “He-man
Women Haters Club.” Everyone watchng knew the little boys really did not
mean to hate women, but they were expressing the normal feelings of little boys
before they become adolescents, then men. Viewers knew it was a juvenile action
and understood they really did not mean to hate women, and would “grow out
of” that attitude.
Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defined hate as an “intense hostility
and aversion usu. deriving from fear, anger or sense of injury.” In his
book, Flesh and Spirit, William Barclay described the Greek word translated “hate”
as, “the attitude of mind and heart which puts up the barriers and draws
the sword” (p.42). Hatred is no mere immature feeling, caught up in a moment
of excitement. It is an attitude that has been built and harbored, usually with
inaccurate information. The intensity of such an action implies a lingering of
the feelings associated with the hostility toward the object.
Contrast these definitions with the current labeling of opposition as “hate.”
If someone within our culture disagrees with or opposes the ideas of another,
it is very likely that they will be described as a “hater.” Even though
the opposition may not be personal, the one who reacts by labeling can gain an
upper hand in public opinion by describing their opponents in such a manner. Free
thought and free speech are thus cast aside, and meaningful discussion, which
might be conducive to a solution of the problem, is made impossible.
Labeling people as “haters” by those whose actions are called into
question actually brings about what some of the labelers oppose, namely, prejudice.
If certain actions bring severe consequences for the person committing those actions,
are we hating a person for pointing out those consequences? If we oppose a course
of action by a person or group on the basis of the merit of the ideas behind those
actions, are we haters?
Of course, such labeling comes about from a culture that uses extreme language
for frivolous activities: e.g., “I love apple pie!”; “I hate
that music!”
God, Himself, has things He hates (Proverbs 6:16-19). He opposes actions that
harm people, and the attitudes behind the actions. However, God has “so
loved the world” (John 3:16). This in its basic message, means that He hates
the sin, but loves the sinner. May we, by our words and actions prove that we
love people, but are opposed to the degrading, disgusting and divisive attitudes
that are running amok among people today.
By Lance Cordle
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