Why some hate more than others (A)

Why do some hate more than others?

Terry Dashner
FFC-PO Box 1586
Broken Arrow, OK 74013

In my youth I watched Star Trek on black and white TV when I could watch nothing else. I remember very few episodes from those days except one. I don’t remember the episode title, but I do remember its content and the significance of its two hues—black and white.

Bottom line—the episode content highlighted the stupidity of prejudice. Throughout the show two life forms appearing to be human, fought desperately to destroy each other although they looked just alike. Both life forms had faces colored one half white and the other black. The episode’s crescendo built throughout, until the concluding scene. In the end when the human-life forms were confronted about their hate for each other, they were aghast that no one could see their differences—one had the right side of his face black while the left side was white. The other--you guessed it--his was just the opposite—left side black and the right white. (Duh!)

While thinking about this episode the other day, it brought a question to my mind, a question I wish to address in this paper. Why do some people, kindred, tribes, cultures, ethnic groups, or even religions hate more than others do? Why do Arabs and Jews hate each other badly enough to kill and continue killing predictably? Why do Sunnis hate the Shia although both groups are Muslim? Why does the Pakistani hate the Kurd? Why do some Christians refuse open Communion services with others? Why do…Why do…we hate one another?

Can you answer this question for me? Is it because humanity is sinful? Yes and no. Not simply because humanity is a fallen race does it hate less or more, nor tolerate more or less. The Bible says that "all have sinned…" but still my experience teaches me that some sinners hate other sinners more than others. Why is this anomaly connected to this particular paradox?

You might answer this in frustration by saying that there are many factors involved in the equation of hate. I agree, but why do they boil over into hate for a human being simply because he looks different?

For the next couple of weeks, I’m going to grapple with this question. I will try to avoid cliché and trite reasons as to why or why not. I will also refrain from suggesting overly simplified solutions on how to stop the hate. I will speak to the topic honestly from my faith, experience, and educational perspective. And yet at the end of this series I will fall short, no doubt, because hate has to be actively resisted until the end of time.

Nevertheless I want to throw another angle into the mix that, oftentimes, gets overlooked by sociologists, anthropologist and, yes, even religious apologists. I believe the oversight has to do with the echelon of a demonic hierarchy that is present in the world order. (I tried to spruce up the word “demonic” to fit the hipster’s 21st century vernacular, but “demonic hierarchy…in the world order” is the best I can do. Sorry.)

I hope you will continue reading this series, at least until I have finished arguing my point. At that time you are free to delete with the press of a computer key. Or, you are welcome to rise to the challenge that I present you at the end. It’s your choice. It’s my honor to welcome you aboard for the next couple of weeks. God is really, really, really good. And the devil is really, really bad. That's the truth!

Keep the faith. Stay the course. One day hate will be swallowed up in love. I promise it's true.

Pastor Tdash

About the Author

Pastors a small church in Broken Arrow, OK. He writes devotional materials for his congregation. He is a military veteran and retired police officer.