Who hates more: Christians, Gays, Liberals, Republicans, or... You?

This post is in response to the overwhelmingly large number of posts lately regarding the "intolerant Christians," the "hypocritical Gay agenda," those "socialist Liberals" and of course the 'dumb redneck republicans.'

It seems as though so many of you are mad at someone else for being mad at you. So many of you are intolerant of those who display intolerance. So many of you categorize and generalize an entire demographic of INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE to fit one, narrow minded idea of what EVERY other person in that demographic must be like.

I am here to tell you that if you are one of 'those people' who categorize other people as 'those people'....you're wrong. And, in my humble opinion, this has got to stop. Now.

Sure, there are intolerant, hateful people out there who do forcefully try to shove their agenda down other
Yes, some 'Christians' are hateful (shoot, just look at Westboro Baptists Church.)
Yes, some 'Gays' go out of their way to demand that you approve and accept that they want to make out in public while wearing speedos.
Yes, some 'Liberals' are self-righteous, arrogant socialists who criticize those who disagree.
And yes, some 'Republicans' are backwoods, racist and ignorant and who are afraid of any other way of thinking.

But the key word in all of those sentences was "SOME."

Those who try to paint an entire group of people as all 'this way' are absolutely wrong. But not only are they wrong, they are hypocritical. For how does it make any sense to 'hate' a group for being 'hateful'? How can we justify being angry at someone for being angry at someone?

Those who criticize CHRISTIANS have also completely forgotten about people such as my grandparents; 'Memaw' and 'Papa.'
My grandparents are close to 80 years old, but they are some of the sweetest, most hardworking and truly loving Christians i have ever met. I can honestly say I have NEVER heard either Memaw or Papa say one bad word towards anyone of any race, religion, social class or anything else. They never even complain or say anything negative. They completely demonstrate the core values of Christianity: Love, charity, service, respect, faith, and community. They both volunteer for their church to help with handicapped people and deliver food to the homes of those in need. They still do this weekly.
Yes, they are from a small, rural Texas town. Papa was born on a farm and worked for the railroad his entire life. They don't have much experience with different cultures, with homosexuals, with bright lights or big cities. But that doesn't mean they 'hate' anyone or are scared of any of it. They just live in their own world and it works for them.

Those who criticize HOMOSEXUALS obviously do not know my roommate; Randall.
Randall has known he was homosexual since the age of 5. He was raised in a very Southern Baptist home in backwoods counties. Thus, life hasn't been very 'easy' for him. He's been called a 'faggot' since the first grade and has been bullied, abused, insulted and judged for the better half of his life. But the only 'agenda' that he has is 'Love.'
Randall is one of the most compassionate, spiritual, God-loving (not God-fearing or 'Christian') individuals that I have ever met. It is a blessing that he is our (our = me and my fiance, as I am a straight male) roommate. And, despite all the hate he has received, he has ZERO hate for anyone else. Honestly, Randall is one of the most overall loving and accepting individuals I've ever met. He's not on a mission to shove homosexuality at anyone. He's not wearing gold underwear and yelling in the streets about you needing to accept him. He didn't care about the Chick-fil-a fiasco whatsoever. He understands that people will be people, and that the only way to make anything better is to LOVE. He does not let his sexuality define him.

Those who criticize LIBERALS obviously don't know the majority of the students who went to my (Art) College.

Many of my best friends I made at College (an Art College) were liberal. Not surprising, eh? This may have meant that they voted for Obama the first time around or that they advocates of Global Warming or Health Care or gun Control or Occupy Wallstreet. But honestly, what they are really trying to say is, they are in favor of 'making the world a better place.' (Just as many other people hope to do.) They worry about Global Warming because they (and 'we') have seen the horrors of pollution and we have seen what is happening to Mother Earth and it IS scary. They worry about Health Care because they genuinely wish for all people to be able to be taken care of. They want everyone to be happy and healthy and 'equal.' They care about Gun Control because they don't want people being shot anymore. And they want to Occupy Wallstreet because they are sick and tired of watching as Corporations destroy our economy, our political system, our quality of life and our liberties. Sure, just like 'some people' from any other demographic, they can become hypocritical when others disagree with their views of 'equality' (which should include the right to disagree.) But really it just comes down to them wanting to make the world a better place.

Those who criticize REPUBLICANS obviously don't know my family
My Mom and Dad are both 'republican' (although to be fair, I have turned them on to Ron Paul a good bit over the last few years.) But just because they are 'republican' does not mean that they do not care about the environment or that they don't care about poor people or they don't want the rich to pay taxes or that they or are borderline KKK. They are just hardworking folks. They were the first in both of their families to go to college. They worked their way up from living in a s#*tty apartment complex to having a nice, paid-for, 2 story suburban house. My mom works upwards of 80 hours a week in her 'busy' season, and my dad consistently works 50 hour weeks. In their off time they work on building/restoring our house. They have a great network of close friends whom they love very much. They donate to charity and volunteer. They have their opinions, but they are open to hearing about others and would never be flat out hateful or judgmental of someone. They just understand the value of hard work, independence and the ability (liberty) to pursue their dreams. They don't think the government should get involved. And when it comes to 'getting involved,' they don't believe that's the governments responsibility. That's our personal responsibility as family, friends, neighbors and communities. They have opened their home more than once to people on the street (and not just to other wealthy white folks.) They are also very open to my ideas of health, love, politics, environmental issues, etc etc.

With that all said:
We have to be loving, period. 'Loving' does not mean that you 'agree' with everything everyone does. It means you love and respect the person enough to a) talk to them like a normal, respectful human being, or b) kindly ignore them and not waste any negative energy being angry about it.
Live and let live. Love and let love.

Basically, when it comes down to daily interactions, you have two options: React or Evolve.
Humanity has been 'reacting' for thousands of years. How about we step it up and start being the change we NEED in this world. Evolve. Love. Get along. Be respectful. Don't be so quick to write everyone else off everything you despise. We're all people. We are all multifaceted. And we all need love.

Defiantly me.

I hate everyone.

Originally posted by Frankenchrist
Defiantly me.

I hate everyone.

Then you must also hate yourself.

This is a pertinent topic and a good OP. That said, good luck bro.

Many of the most "prominent" (Relentless) voices on ATS have bitten into the left right paradigm so hard they will never let go. They accept their polarization into opposing groups that offset each other so that this tyrannical status quo can be maintained. Kudos to you for seeing things from a higher perspective.

I think 'hate' is very strong word that people take too lightly, the same goes for 'love'.

To truely hate or love someone or something is a powerful emotion/energy.

I don't believe that a whole group of people can really hate another group, they may not like them very much, or strongly disagree with them, but for every single person in a group to really hate another group is not very common.

Maybe the leader of a group really does hate a certain group of people for their beliefs or ideas, but to hate every single person in that group?

Maybe the leader of a group really does hate a group and every single person in that group, but the rest of his followers or friends will just be repeating his words like parrots, even acting out crimes in his name to impress or feel acceptance, but not truely understanding why or where the hatred is coming from.

I personally believe that real hate does not come from groups but from indiviuals that contaminate others, ofcourse this does not change the end result of the actions taken by a group unto others, the damge is still done weather there is true hatred or not but to truely hate someone with every fibre of your being I think is rare.

To really hate someone for their beliefs, ideas, religion or race is ignorant beyond belief, it's a very sad state of affiars, it really is a crying shame!

But like I said, I suppose it doesn't matter if there is true hatred or not, if a group attack another thinking that they hate them, then the end result is the same regardless, negativity, pain and darkness, for both parties.

Originally posted by METACOMET
This is a pertinent topic and a good OP. That said, good luck bro.

Many of the most "prominent" (Relentless) voices on ATS have bitten into the left right paradigm so hard they will never let go. They accept their polarization into opposing groups that offset each other so that this tyrannical status quo can be maintained. Kudos to you for seeing things from a higher perspective.

edit on 10-8-2012 by METACOMET because: (no reason given)

Yes. And how much of the polarization is further fomented by Political pundits from both parties?
I often wonder how much the political discussion could be elevated if people would simply stop tuning into the cable news programs with the pundits on both sides vomiting blind hate. As John Stewart so eloquently said on cross-fire years ago: Stop!...just..stop. You're hurting America.

reply to post by eleven44

You make some good points op, and it is a nice reminder to consider what we see and experience around us more than what we see from the media outlets, who always seem to grab onto a sensational comment and smear an entire group, creating a generalization that sometimes sways the public. To be honest, my first knee jerk reaction to the question was republicans, but then I traced back that notion to the source, realizing my emotional impression, instead of from my heart, mind and personal experience, was from Fox news, but I do not believe they represent the republican's view in it's entirety, so shame on me.

Pondering my own experiences with family friends and co-workers, I realize none of these groups 'hate' more than the others, but instead get framed within others opinions so often. May your thread serve as a reminder to judge from your own experience and perspective, as opposed to vicariously living through punditry, authors and hollywood.

Peace and unity,
spec

And the people said, "Amen." Thanks for your well-written and timely post.

reply to post by eleven44


Here's the part that upsets me... it's when people are acting like bigots but then act like victims the moment somebody calls them on it. It's like when somebody says something racist, you say "hey, stop being racist" and then they say "ohhh... pulling the race card, huh?".

How ignorant is that? Same thing with gay marriage. I can say something like "Marriage is a secular institution and therefore should be legal, regardless of the genders involved" and, I swear to gods, somebody will say "But that will infringe on my religion".

How the hell does these people turn it around and play the victim every time somebody calls them out on their prejudices?! So, to me, it's obvious who hates more and who is the most intolerant of others and who needs to fade away before we can advance as a society.

reply to post by eleven44


Here's my two cents:

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

~ Unknown (it was not Ghandi, as is commonly assumed)

"Right wing, left wing, chicken wing"

~ Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse in the song "The Stars are Projectors"

As for the gays... the sooner we just accept that every living human being is no different than us, and let them have the same rights when they love someone, the sooner that whole issue will just go away. They don't want to make it so heterosexuals can't marry, or have to marry only same-sex. They just want their love recognized. Same way interracial couples wanted. Let them have it. Love is love no matter gender, race, or sexual preference.

~ Wandering Scribe

reply to post by eleven44

Basically, when it comes down to daily interactions, you have two options: React or Evolve. Humanity has been 'reacting' for thousands of years. How about we step it up and start being the change we NEED in this world. Evolve. Love. Get along. Be respectful. Don't be so quick to write everyone else off everything you despise. We're all people. We are all multifaceted. And we all need love.

I can't say anything else more than: I totally agree with you.

Thank you for writing this thread, eleven44, it is great to see this kind of realistic reinforcement for the changes we all need to make in the way we view the world around us. I appreciate that you took the time to share your experiences and thoughts with us.

Hate is an emotion afforded to those who do not have clear distinction between other peoples intent. Very soon now the world as we know it will be divided in to two classes of people - those trying to kill you and those not trying to kill you. For some people in the world that event is already occuring. For others it is coming.

S&F

Whelp… here is the underlying problem with our society, belief systems and misconceptions:


LOGICAL FALLACY!

It's an old problem that has plagued humanity since we started to gather into agricultural groups. Man is a different animal in many aspects - we have a natural, deeply ingrained fear of death. This fear of death is at the core of all systems of control. Don't do what I say, and I will kill you - that is how ALL modern governments keep social order. And this well known tool has been (ab)used by many, but there is one big problem - MOST people will not kill their fellows. We have the unique ability of seeing from others point of view - empathy if you will.

So, these "authorities" who would control you through the threat of violence needed to come up with a new tool so that they could get people to do their dirty work - kill those who don't follow the authority. Those in authority came up with a very brilliant tool - If you can separate a population, objectify this troublesome population, dehumanize them in some way, they become much easier to "dispatch". So the "authority" instills the knowledge that the victims of their violence are not their fellows, but rather some dastardly, inhuman mass ripe for the slaughter. An object that demands to be removed.

You'd feel bad about killing someones Son, Daughter, Father, Mother, whatever, but if you're a Communist, it's easy to kill a Capitalist, they are you're enemy, they want to kill you, they want to control you, isn't that what You are told? And vice versa? These labels are so pervasive that we willingly label ourselves, and are told to be proud of that predefined notion of identity. Like rooting for the local sports team. Let's beat those dirty Mets (or Red Sox, Yankees, whatever)! It all boils down to systems of control. There will always be those that would exploit them around them - it's so much easier, and comfortable living off of the labor of others.

We will always have to fight those that would control humanity for their own personal benefit (and the detriment of humanity as a whole). We can't let them have the upper hand (although it can be argued we have let them have the upper hand for a very, very long time). I don't believe people need an absolute authority figure in order to be moral, good, contributing member of humanity as a whole. We have been brainwashed to fear everyone else around us, simply because it makes us easier to control.

Of course, our current Geopolitical situation isn't really as simple as we'd like to believe, but once you open your eyes to the strands of control we bind ourselves with, it's almost overwhelming. Our whole entire society has been carefully crafted, some with good intentions, and some with horrible intentions, but it seems as our technology has skyrocketed, so has propaganda and the tools of control. With one step forward, it seems we make two steps back, more often then naught.

reply to post by Frankenchrist


It is definitely 'defiant' of you to hate everyone.

Good luck with that, brother!

reply to post by eleven44


Thanks I am glad someone is saying this. I am so tired of the 2 sided battle that is getting us nowwhere.

People need to understand the Hegelian Dialectic.

We are being pitted against each other delibertaly to keep us separate and distracted.

There are some extreme points of view, certainly, but I think the rest of us are caught up in this battle that doesn't have to be!

reply to post by Cuervo


Easy answer to your distress: Live and let live. No one has it all right, and we are all on a journey and will not arrive at the same destination at the same time. That my friend is the very definition of tolerance.

Go back and re-read the OP and perhaps this time it will better permeate your soul. Peace.

You can lead a sheep to water but you can't make them drink

Originally posted by MsAphrodite
reply to post by Cuervo

 

Easy answer to your distress: Live and let live. No one has it all right, and we are all on a journey and will not arrive at the same destination at the same time. That my friend is the very definition of tolerance.

Go back and re-read the OP and perhaps this time it will better permeate your soul. Peace.

I'm with Cuervo on this one...The haters are very adept at playing the victim when called out on their BS.
An even then still see themselves as tolerant and understanding; all the while with the "People like you" designation at the ready to use on those that see thru their hypocrisy.

It's a well know ploy and covered here....www.abovetopsecret.com...

Number 17

Perhaps a reading will help some of the most guilty eh?

Is it still intolerance if it is based upon personal experience? Because I have had experiences over multiple years with hippies that were following the Grateful Dead who have never showered in their lives and Gypsies whose purpose in life it seems is littering and pocket-picking, and though I don't actually hate them, I find both groups extremely unpleasant to be around and though I respect their right to exist, I prefer it to be somewhere far away from where I live. I remind you, these observations are based upon multiple real-world experiences of a life-long metalhead who has also experienced my share of intolerance because of my cultural orientation.