Will Hate Win Out?

According to the Southern Law Poverty Center, the number of hate groups has increased dramatically over the last few years. It seems ironic that as we celebrate the election of the first African-American president and other notable achievements by other African-Americans and other people of color, the stubborn resistance of hate groups to these positive changes is increasing. In light of the murder of the security guard that occurred yesterday in Washington, DC and the murder of the late-term abortion doctor recently, it can seem like things are getting worse.

These are sensational, but still tragic cases. What about in our own lives? How tolerant are we of people who do not look like us, think like us, vote like us or pray like us? Is there a person at work or at our church or at the gym that we cannot stand? We may feel our dislike of someone may be justified, but aren't we expected to strive for a higher standard of love? The kind of love that is applied to enemies as well as friends, is more willing to lead to forgiveness than punishment and inspires us to consistent occurrences of self-sacrifice for the betterment of others.

Yes, we need to rebuke those who kill and bring harm to others. But let's not leave our attention on only "them". We too must be accountable for the seemingly minor episodes of hate that we express towards the IRS, the bill collectors, our no-good for nothing ex-husband or wife, our mean boss, our greedy banker, our lying car mechanics and so on. It is those daily expressions of malice toward these and other people that puts into question whether or not hate will win in the end.