Reflection
The basic rule of our faith is love. Yet, combatting baseless hatred will never be simple. Baseless hatreds see and treat people as the “other.” They build on a belief that an entire group of people is a threat. The actions resulting are an expression of a hatred so intense that lives and places are meaningless. We experience horror at such actions even as we see them played out now. Tolerating speech and hostility that foster hatred is contrary to the mandate to love one’s neighbor. It is totally out of place in Christ’s community of compassion and love. Avoiding and refusing to participate in such speech is one small way we can prevent its spread.
Prayer
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Action
Do not tolerate hate speech. Avoid stereotypic language. Don’t repeat ethnic jokes. Teach children to accept difference and respect all people for who they are. Hold political leaders responsible for their words.
Suggested Reading
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself,
Leviticus 19:18
We are living in times in which feelings that many thought had passed are taking new life and spreading-feelings of suspicion, fear, contempt and even hatred towards individuals or groups judged for their ethnic, national or religious identity and, as such – considered not sufficiently worthy of being fully part of society’s life.
Pope Francis
Ignorance and prejudice are the handmaidens of propaganda. Our mission, therefore, is to confront ignorance with knowledge, bigotry with tolerance, and isolation with the outstretched hand of generosity.
Kofi Annan
Quote words that affirm all men and women are your brothers and sisters.
Author-Poet Aberjhani
I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.
Thomas Jefferson
Racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, or hatred of anyone with different beliefs has no place in the human mind or heart.
Billy Graham
This is the way of peace: Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.
Peace Pilgrim
Not one of us can rest, be happy, be at home, be at peace with ourselves, until we end hatred and division.
John Lewis
You know how big love is? Love is big. love can hold anger; love can even hold hatred.
Alice Walker
Defeating racism, tribalism, intolerance and all forms of discrimination will liberate us all, victim and perpetrator alike.
Ban Ki-moon
We must heal the divisions caused by intolerance and bigotry.
Janet Reno
Hatred, racism, and extremism have no place in this country.
Angela Merkel