Today, I will not stand silent in the face of hate.
It has taken me awhile to process and respond to these photos. They were taken at a KKK Rally not far from my son’s college.
It should be obvious by now that our call to “love your neighbor” is not working.
Hate seems to be breeding like rats. I say rats, because bunnies are cute and don’t deserve the connotation that the word “hate” brings into the world.
My first response to hate is to fight back. “Righteous anger”, I call it. I am ready for retaliation and riposte to the insult and indignity imposed on people I love. I want to draw my sword and run head first into battle defending what is right, Holy and just. I want to verbally assault those who stand in silence, shrugging their shoulders as if there is nothing to be done.
But here is the bad news for me.
As a follower of Christ, fighting back looks different than what I would like to look. God is asking me to love my enemies (Matthew 5:40-42).
That seems so wrong. Our haters aren’t stopping to “love their enemies”, why should I?
Why, because it is the only clear way to change.
Look at the faces of the people in these photos. They were not born haters. They were taught to hate.
Tweet ThisTherefore, there is no power in hate because hate is rooted in fear. There is only power in the silence which accepts and allows behavior that are morally wrong, offensive and unjust to continue.
How do we move forward?
The words “love your neighbor” are meaningless without action.
1. Recognize hate is real and invasive without your action.
2. Search your own heart for places where fear is keeping you separated from those who are different than you. Think – race, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, disability or age.
3. Form a community of protection and love for those who suffer the life cutting insults and attacks against their human dignity, worth and value.
4. Remember, retaliation only reinforces a haters position. It is the offer of equal human value that opens people’s mind to change.
5. Go first.
It is the hardest thing to do, but the only way to change. When we offer the olive branch first, we pour water on the fire of fear that burns in a haters heart.
Hate can be stopped when we stand up for love.
If you believe this, share it.
Matthew 5:40-42 (MSG)
Love Your Enemies
“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.”
*This rally took place in Hillsborough, NC on Aug. 24, 2019.
What do you think?