hate

{{this one really made me think, Jess.}}

hate (‘hAt): 1 a : intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury b : extreme dislike or antipathy.

That doesn’t seem to cover it for me. To hate something or someone takes a lot of energy and isn’t so casual as it is often used. I often use the word hate when I actually mean dislike (sometimes, I even say “I hate” when I really mean “I love but am afraid of what that means”). Hate, like its antithesis love, is a very complicated idea. It is a decision one makes — to actively withhold understanding, compassion, and love from another person or thought.

I’m fairly certain that to “hate” something other than a person or thought is pointless — and in fact, I’m not sure if it is possible. I strongly dislike things (dried cherries, artichokes, hot pink paisley, sandpaper), but I think it is impossible for me to hate them. Hate, unfortunately, is more rational than that. It is a notion based on a set of rules one has formed for themselves. Hate is a common factor in the lives of many people. Although I know I have been hated for being me, I don’t know if I have myself ever truly hated another person. Maybe I have, but it seems like I would remember something so strong.

There are quite a few organizations founded on hatred. These groups promote using this energy to alienate fellow human beings based on factors beyond the control of both parties. This is often cited as a “Christian view,” which makes me ill. To understand someone who lives with hate, it is important to understand that these types of groups exist. It is also important to know what these groups are saying. It is for these reasons — and these reasons only — that I have included a list of links to hate groups. This is the world we live in.

They say it takes all kinds of people, but I would argue that it only takes a lot of different kinds. Some, like these, may contribute so little to humanity as to be unnecessary. I felt so dirty looking these up.

Ku Klux Klan: many individual groups promoting white supremacy, anti-Semitism, racism, anti-Catholicism, homophobia, and nativism.
Americans For Truth: a “Christian” promoting hatred of gays and lesbians.
God Hates Fags: an extremist “Christian” group. This groups has staged protests during funerals, parades, weddings, & other ceremonies. They refer to the organization as “The Westboro Baptist Church.” I have attended events that have been picketed by these people. It makes me sick to think about them.
New Black Panthers: anti-white, anti-Semitic black racist hate group.
Institute for Historical Review: Holocaust denial group.
Traditional Values Coalition: Yet another “Christian” group that chooses to overlook Jesus’ teachings on hate. Keep in mind the lack of teachings on gays, those who this group tries to ostracize.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has been an invaluable resource in researching hate. This is a well-known civil rights law firm, which lists hate groups in America. The only problem I found was that some of the groups listed, while historically affiliated with groups promoting discrimination, no longer have a culture of hate. Sometimes, it is important to forgive past crimes of organizations doing good works today.

To make this less difficult, here is a list of anti-hate sites:

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD):
hatecrime.org
hatewatch
Deconstructing Hate Sites: article on a Canadian site — worth checking out.
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
list of anti-hate resources

Beyond these individual sites, most religious groups discourage hate. The Bible certainly does not promote hatred. It is generally a safe assumption that your church will take care of you, regardless of personal differences. If you aren’t finding a loving environment, try one of the many churches across the country who welcome all people to worship. There are so many differences between us all; I won’t try to list the churches here.

I’m glad this one was chosen. It took me quite a few days to finish it and was taxing on my brain, but satisfying now that it is finished. Hatred is such a strong feature of the society we live in today, which is extremely sad.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
— Thomas Jefferson

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled {the} law.”
— Romans 13:8 (NIV)

Featured Image Art: Lyubov Popova, untitled (1922)