I have long had this subject on my desktop, but have had a writer’s block on how to process it for publication. For this post, we shall discuss hatred and show that those who “hate” have little logical reason for directing this toward those they don’t know.
Hatred is expressed every day by those who have different ideas about politics, religion, social standards, and its ubiquity is baffling.
How is hate defined? One dictionary definition is: n. Intense animosity or hostility. a feeling of intense dislike; enmity. the feeling of one who hates; intense dislike or extreme aversion or hostility….
Note the word intense. Hate and hatred are not passing emotions that flit in and out of our minds. It is a powerful feeling, powerful and deep within a person, and many times a lasting emotion.
What we see today in our national discourse is many expressing hatred toward the duly elected President, Donald Trump, which hatred is then also applied to any and all who support his policies. Those who claim such hate show by words and actions that they are serious about hating. But does that stand the test of reason and objectivity? I think not.
I have known hate directed toward me. This was seen in two ways many years ago, and it was not a pretty scene. Because I opposed two men, when each was defeated for a position they had held for years on a public policy board, from that time on, on more than on occasion, they would cross the street in downtown Paris to keep from meeting me on the sidewalk. This attitude was a somewhat mild sort of hatred, but it was something I could feel emanating from each man. During the time in question, I did not speak evil of them, I did not try to harm them in any way, but the looks and words against me were there.
One other occasion brought out a more vicious and palpable hatred. On a moral issue, I took a stand and it caused a split in a group of which I was a member, as were several others who took issue with me. About 40% of the group left the group, but not before it was made clear that many felt I was the cause of the problem. Some of the words directed toward me were words not suited to polite company; challenges laid down and threats of eternal damnation were hurled in my direction. Thirty to forty years passed, and those whom I felt were friends never spoke to me again.
But that was what hatred was — a personal feeling engendered by knowledge of and interaction with another individual. Yet unreasoning, irrational hatred of President Trump seems to permeate those who have never met the man not had any interaction with him. How can you hate someone you have never encountered?
Three people, two I have known all their lives and a third I have known for almost fifty years claim to “hate” Donald Trump. For almost half a century I have known this last person, we have worshipped together, been involved with weddings and funerals in her family. When Donald Trump became President, her words were, “I hate that man!” and the passion with which she spoke left no doubt she was serious. She has never left the Midwest, never went to meet Trump, never talked to him face-to-face, yet any mention of his name brings out the almost visceral hatred as she repeats her mantra, “I hate that man!”
Many in American share that feeling, but most have the same experience with Donald Trump — none!
A couple of members of my own family feel that same way. One cannot have a simple, rational discussion of national politics without the “I hate Trump” coming out. Pointing out simple objective facts simply exacerbates the situation, as defensive words come up defending their feelings towards the President. Like the previous example, neither of these family members have ever met Trump, have ever been personally hurt or insulted by him, have ever known his family. This irrational hatred of a man they have never even met has even been named: TDS or Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Although that train has left the station, it seems about time that both sides of the political divide should put aside any personal feeling and debate the policy differences we have with the President. There are enough of those to keep political pundits busy until all are in their graves, and enough rational thought might possibly produce solutions to the problems facing Americans.
Ridding our hearts of the malevolence we seem to feel toward the opposing parties will also produce a more peaceful existence for us and those we encounter along life’s way. Try it. Hold your hatred for those who truly deserve it, if any do. For those Christians reading this, remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 5: “Love your enemies and do good to those who despitefully use you.”