Why Do They Hate Us?

Memories of what happened ten years ago bring me back to the haunting question of the time. It still remains largely a mystery. Why do some people have such hate for those who believe differently that they think God has authorized them to kill?

This is not a Muslim problem, despite the slander believed by some. Christian fundamentalists bombed the Federal courthouse in Oklahoma City before Muslim fundamentalists flew planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In fact, it seems most religions have a very small percentage of people who are insanely, violently zealous. There are Christians willing to kill people they disagree with over abortion despite the fact that Jesus clearly taught us to "turn the other cheek" and not resist evil with evil.

Ultimately this kind of hate does not come from God. It is not about piety or devotion in any religion. It is rooted in evil. It is a marker of all the God is against. There is a word for this in all religions; sin. Anyone who thinks they can rid the world of sin by resorting to violence or injustice is overcome by the very thing they are supposedly fighting against. It is like the old folk tale of the tar baby. The more you hit it, the more you are stuck in it.

The only thing that is victorious over sin is divine love. God chooses to struggle against sin by extending mercy, forgiveness and grace because He is wise enough to know there is no other way to actually overcome sin. Hate and terrorism ends when I decide to quit hating those with whom I disagree on the most profound topics, the most cherished truths.

Why do they hate us? Because we hate them. The only thing that disconnects this vicious cycle is when we choose to join God's side and love the hater. That takes far more courage, a far more fearless moral stand than anything else. The Son of God gave His life to demonstrate this reality.

Comments

[KM]

"They" may not hate "us." But they do note our silence when they're demonized and attacked, and when our taxes and tithes support violence against them or laws that reduce their civic liberties.

The Church's legacy in my time has been silence and collusion with violence, and my generation knows it. Even those of us who love and have forgiven the Church recognize that it only has one way to reclaim its credibility -- and credibility is different from authority.

To reclaim credibility, hand-wringing with more of the same-old action is not enough. Only a different kind of action will suffice. Only a complete turn will do. Is the Church up for it? You tell me.

[Andrew Nelson]

Simply renouncing acts which the majority consider "evil" is not enough. You Monte, and your religion will have to convince an entire generation that you can show the same tact with far less lethal topics.

Homosexuality, divorce, substance abuse, "immorality", and most importantly a mere difference of opinion. Hiding behind the false superiority that you don't kill people as a product of your religions love and acceptance is of little consolation to the rest of the world who has most likely experienced more hatred than love at the hands of that religion.

Kudos for not having killed anyone in the name of your God... You're doing better than all the folks who wrote your sacred texts.

[Edwin B]

Simply put, they hate us because our love for freedom and freedom of religion are a direct threat to their version Islam as well as our support for Israel.

Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were not Christian fundamentalists. McVeigh grew up a catholic and later abandoned it. Terry Nichols converted to Christianity in jail, a point his defense lawyer used to successfully try to spare his life at his sentencing hearing.

What they did in Oklahoma City was based on their hatred of the government, not a religious ideology or version thereof. The same can't be said of the 9/11 attacks.

[chris]

Amen & Amen!
We need to look at this tradegy stripped from its dressing and see the naked evil.

May the strength of love and grace bind up our wounds