Hate is such a strong word which conjures up many emotional feelings including anger, contempt and disgust. Many people go through life possibly disliking someone or something but whether their feelings ever plummet as far as hated is another matter.
Sadly, however, there is a growing problem of what is now termed “hate crime” defined as any incident in which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them. Not all hate crimes are criminal offences. Typically, hate crime involves violence or insults motivated by ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or a disability. It is often based on unfounded prejudicial stereotypes. Thanks Dan unsplash.com
Hate crime can involve physical assaults, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred, sometimes leading to extremist actions including terrorist incidents. It not only harms its victims – it can also damage their families or whole communities.
The effects of hate crime can be devastating, particularly if it is targeted or long-lasting. Some incidents start off as minor misdemeanours but can escalate into serious and frequent offences. The cumulative effect can destroy a person’s life leading to mental and emotional damage and long-term trauma. This also applies to communities who live in fear of attack.
The reasons for hate crime are very complex and far-reaching. It happens in countries all around the world. The intention is always to intimidate, sending a message to the person or group that they are unwelcome and unsafe wherever they are. Some of the reasons include perpetrating it just for the thrill of it; their need to defend their ‘turf’ or territory; the ‘Avenger’ complex committed by people who feel the need to avenge themselves against a perceived threat; the ‘Mission Offenders’ who commit to a cause such as a religion, race or country.
Martin Luther King, Jnr, in his book Strength to Love said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Graham – Did hate crime exist in Jesus’ time and, if so, how did this manifest itself? Did God or Jesus ever say anything relating to what we now call hate crime; how can we be expected to love our neighbours if they behave in an un-Godly way, including the use of hate crime?
Rev Graham replies:
Thank you, Carol, for yet another very relevant and challenging question to think about. It will be good to understand further how hate and crime interact together and be aware that both stem from the intentions of the heart. It will be interesting to consider how Jesus would have experienced any hate crime, what way the bible refers to hate and love and the importance as Christians of taking on board the role of being a Peacemaker among all we live and work with.
Hate
You have outlined, Carol, fairly well how hate has been classified as a crime in certain instances within modern societies. To hate a person, thing or situation we will express and show strong feelings of disdain to that which we basically and strongly dislike for whatever reason. Similar words to hate include loath, detest, abhor, abominate and despise which are all very emotive words which can produce actions that are extremely unpleasant, odious and obnoxious.
What is a Crime?
A crime represents a particular action for which one can be punished by the rule of law as represented in a ‘crime of murder’. Such a crime goes against any conventions, laws and rules which are legislated for in a given society or community. The actions will be understood as felony, misdemeanour, wrongdoing and offence. You have also outlined, Carol, some of the reasons why hate crime exists which is as a result of individuals experiencing hatred against them in various forms which require support from criminal law.
What is in the Heart?
When we think about hate crime, in reality it can never be truly contained because, as Jesus says, whatever is in the heart of a person will reveal itself irrespective of any human and religious laws made to restrict it. Matthew 15: 19 reads “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart and these make a man ’unclean’. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander”.
It is a fact that all people, with and without faith, produce all manner of feelings, actions and reactions which can be categorised as fruits of the Holy Spirit and those which represent a worldly spirit, which is alien to God’s intention for all creation as found in Galatians 5: 16 – 26: Love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness and self-control that compares sharply to impurity, debauchery, hatred, jealously, rage and selfish ambition. Thanks Pixabay pexels.com
As mentioned, no human or religious law will ever be able to contain or restrict any of those characteristics people with faith or no faith exhibit. What makes a difference for the Christian is the power of a forgiven life through Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which brings self-control and an ability to love all people rather than hate and act against them in a criminal sense.
Law and Crime in Jesus’ day
Jesus lived in the midst of a very cosmopolitan world which was divisive and hateful in many forms and expressed itself in the context of social, economic, religious and political tensions, injustices and backgrounds. Jesus was aware of the legacy of Greek culture and the authoritarianism of Roman rulers. He was despised by Jewish rulers with their legalistic regulations who wanted to ensure that followers lived in a religious manner which was pleasing to God.
Jesus knew the plight of the slaves, the sick and the poor. He recognised the undervaluing of women and how the Jews hated the Samaritans and all who hated the Jews. Jesus was successfully murdered by those who conspired against him and the Roman soldiers who acted on behalf of the Jewish leaders. He was accused of being a glutton and someone who ate with sinners which would have been seen to have defiled himself. He was misunderstood as a single person and showed great compassion in healing the sick and even dared to offer a gift of forgiveness for the sins of people.
Peace Police!
Long before the establishment of modern day policing, it was customary for Churchwardens to appoint ‘Parish Constables’ who acted as ‘Peace Officers’ seeking to maintain peace within the local community in whatever way possible. If any situation got really out of hand they would call for the army to quell any riotous behaviour.
Law and order is required in any gathering of people because, when self-governing takes place, discipline can be diluted which can result, in a worst case scenario, of anarchy. Thanks freepik
So, in any society that has a formalised police structure, there is still the case, albeit in an informal sense, that constables are ‘Peace Officers’ who seek to uphold and maintain peace and if required will bring to justice and arrest those guilty or suspected of committing any crime which also may be considered hateful.
Church Law!
There are a number of references in the bible for people of faith to be united in love, respect and order together. The church can be an amazing example of a community which submits to each other for the benefit of all not based on laws to control and suppress but for all to be filled by the spirit of Jesus Christ who showed us a better way to live, by serving others and not wanting to be served unto or lord it over others for self-interest and gain.
The world of today seems to centre on wanting to divide communities between those who are oppressed and those who are the oppressors. Yet such a view is held by those who in themselves want to control and contain both the oppressed and oppressor for their own gain and control. In the world of politics and power, ‘a dog will eat another dog to maintain their position as top dog’.
The church has a wonderful mission and mandate to unite everyone and promote a real sense and reality of all peoples being able to co-exist harmoniously while maintaining lots of loving tensions with tolerance and understanding. The church with all its faults, sinful actions and past collusions can be an example of diverse and different people living in love and harmony
In a recent question, Carol, you asked about the effects of Bullying and in it we realised that God has set up human authorities, not to misuse their power, but to ensure that powerful people and organisations do not abuse the power and relationships they set up and are given. Organizations such as the United Nations should not exist for the control of world power and dominance but its primary function is to bring and maintain peace and harmony, care for the planet and a freedom for all that promotes love and tolerance over disharmony, hate and abuse.
It is a moot point whether anyone can legislate societal intentions to exist over and above hateful actions. In reality it is only love in a person’s heart and mind that will bring a change in a world of hate and division to one that can be full of love and harmony.
Love Your Enemies!
We are all made in the image of God and are all unique and different. We can and do complain against such differences but we can also celebrate God’s creative diversity which exists on earth as originally planned in the Garden of Eden. God wants us all to be happy and live equally alongside those who are totally different to us. As Christians we have a common bond and belief in that we are all sinners and so we can all be forgiven and so offer forgiveness and acceptance to those who sin against us.
The Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:28 outlines that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, slave or free, male or female, between oppressor and those oppressed. In Matthew 5: 43 – 48 Jesus encourages us to love and pray for our enemies.
Your quote, Carol from Martin Luther King Jr, confirms that darkness and hate cannot change themselves into something that is good. It is only the light and love of God in Jesus Christ that truly drives out darkness and hate into light and love. Love is the only way that is greater than the actions of hate which is a result of oppressive feelings to others for whatever reasons.
We can all become a Peace Officer/Constable in the name of the Lord to all we meet on a daily basis. The Lord wants us to change our heartfelt feelings and actions of disdain to those full of acceptance and appreciation for others. It’s important to show love and understanding and be models for others to follow and embrace so that peace and harmony may exist under God’s law and the laws of any given society.
To Conclude
Consider for a moment a number of Bible Verses that relate to hate and seek to direct us to a better way of feeling and acting.
Leviticus: 19: 17 – 18 Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbour frankly so you will not share in their guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.
Psalm 45: 6 The Lord loves righteousness and hates wickedness.
Proverbs: 10: 12 Hatred stirs up conflict but love covers over all wrongs.
Proverbs: 15: 17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
John 13: 34 – 35 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 15: 18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
1 John 3: 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
1 John 4: 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
SIGNPOST ORGANISATIONS
To report a hate crime telephone your local police force (Greater Manchester Police).
Premier Lifeline – premierlifeline.org.uk – 03001110101
Crime stoppers – Anonymous reporting – Tel: 0800 555111 www.crimestoppers.org.uk
Greater Manchester Victims’ Services – Tel: 0161 200 1950 www.gmvictims.org.uk
Victim Support – Tel: 0808 1689111 or 0161 303 0162 www.victimsupport.org.uk
Report-It www.report-it.org.uk
Stop Hate UK – Tel: 0113 293 5100 or info@stophte.org.uk
Citizens Advice – Advice line (England) Tel: 0800 1448848. www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Graham
Explore to Inspire 
