#HotSeat #QuickTake #TimeForLove #TimeForHate #LoveYourNeighbor #7times77times #LoveWins #WhoGetsBurned #LoveGodHateEvil #HateInjustice #EstablishJusticeInTheGate #LoveGood
If you’ve been following along – you know that Rev. Tom and I have been in the Hot Seat these past few weeks – talking about controversial topics. This past week we asked for submissions from the community and tackled nine topics – including Doubt, Gun Control, Defunding the Police, and Hate.
We know, intuitively, the harm hate has on our spirits, our bodies, and our society? The Buddha says: Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal you intend to throw at another; you are the one who gets burned.
A few moments cruising social media (whichever bubble you are connected to) or a couple of clicks past the pundits’ perspectives from the so-called-news-networks and you can literally feel the damage being done when people, systems, society, and our social structures harbor hate.
Yet the Hebrew Bible tells us that there is both “a time for love and a time for hate (Ecclesiastes 3:8).” So are there times when hate is helpful?
Jesus is absolute about one thing – love all of your neighbors as yourself AND oh by the way, forgive your enemies seven times seventy-seven times. So it seems clear that love, not hate is the only appropriate way to relate to God’s beloved children, the rest of creation including the earth, and yourself.
But the Psalmist sings “Let those who love God hate evil” (Psalms 97:10). And Amos inspired Israel with this: “Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate” (Amos 5:15a).
So it would seem that the consequence of a passion for a more just, healthy, and harmonious world would lead us to disdain (if not hate) injustice, casteism, policies that protect white supremacy… you get the idea. If we love rightly we will inevitably recognize that there is, indeed, “a time (or maybe I should say inequitable systems) to hate.”
Watch here if you want to listen to all nine Quick Takes – and join us this Sunday – cause everybody needs a little sanctuary.
