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November 14, 2006
Where Hate Resides
by Tina Grazier
Hate is a strong word that represents an emotion filled attitude. We recognize it as a negative force present in all individuals; something to be dealt with and discouraged. Lately, however, it has become much more. We have given it special standing in our system of justice recognizing “hate crimes� as somehow different…as if other crimes, crimes against “other� types of people, are not just as wrongful or serious. What’s disturbing about this, is that hate seems to be associated now with particular categories of people; a trend that nips at the edges of bigotry. It makes the groups potential or probable enemies without cause. The people found in those groups are no longer individuals; they are objects of guilt by association. Accusations of hate abound in our society but the current trend is to single out Christians and particularly Christian conservatives and, once again, religious
Jews as the enemy. One recent example comes from a pop star of amazing talent. He is free to speak his mind of course but, sadly, his reasoning skills are not nearly as engaging as his music:
"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred toward gay people," John said in the Observer newspaper's Music Monthly Magazine. "Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays."
Come on Elton, gay people and Christians people are individuals, not arms and legs of some designated freakish entity. They have, as individuals, the same capacity for hatred that all individuals have. The Christian religion promotes Christ as savior and redeemer and also love, forgiveness, acknowledgement of wrongdoing (sin) and adherence to certain laws or rules. It dares to define behaviors, such as stealing and lying, as wrong. It does not instruct anyone to hate the liar, indeed we are asked to forgive. Defining or naming behaviors or warning against engaging in those behaviors does not inspire or incite or promote hate. Within this context any individuals can respond hatefully whether gay or straight, Christian or secular.
"But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion," he said. "From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."
Elton wants to ban religion. Interesting! The whole world is about his view, his comfort, and his preference and if the world would just march to the sound of his drummer….ah well. Frankly I think the gay situation got seriously out of whack when “coming out� just wasn’t enough anymore and “in your face� became the new cry of redemption. People don’t respond well to in your face activity and screed. It becomes tiresome and in itself invokes backlash. To his credit Elton John also said that he believed the clergy and also musicians haven’t done enough about the conflicts in the world. Of the clergy:
And of musicians:
"It's like the peace movement in the '60s. Musicians got through to people by getting out there and doing peace concerts, but we don't seem to do them any more," he said. "If John Lennon were alive today, he'd be leading it with a vengeance."
Well, maybe. Or maybe he’d be pretending to “do something� by calling a news conference so he could lie naked (symbolizing peace?) in bed with Yoko…the focus was really HIM! His gesture did nothing to create or incite peace. It soothed the longing in the adolescent human souls that had made him their spiritual guru, a burden he seemed to both enjoy and loathe, but it didn’t create peace. Calling for peace from an all white perch is symbolic, period. So it’s back to Elton, who could use a few lessons about love and forgiveness as opposed to hate, particularly when it comes to speech (lyrics excerpted from Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher the Peachtree Road album:
So merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher
May God's love be with you
We all sing together in one breath
Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher
We all celebrate today
'Cause it's one day closer to your death
I don’t expect more than gestures from musicians and in fact I expect their gestures to be filled with all kinds of emotions, including hate. They live and play in a creative world; a world of beginnings and of “once upon a time�. Just don't pretend you are exempt from this emotion or somehow different than anyone else please. I admire and enjoy the talent and work of entertainers. It is through their talent that they can do the most good. They offer escape from a world that is up and down, right and wrong…and filled with both fear and love. They provide a distraction, an outlet and every once in awhile true inspiration. It can't be found in careless remarks designed to malign another group, some of whom have been fans.
Hate is an expression of the fear that resides in every human heart. Let’s try to remember that and act accordingly with respect and good manners.
Reference:
breitbart.com
Posted by Post Scripts at November 14, 2006 12:12 AM
Comments
Interesting thoughts JL...is that you Jack?
My thinking is that emotions are something we all have ... the outcome or result that follows depends on our ability to notice them, be truthful with ourselves and sometimes others, and then act responsibly. When we fail to notice and tell the truth even "reason" can turn into a disaster. We tell ourselves the most outrageous stories using our reasoning powers; we make up the most ridiculous excuses...
"I did not have se..ual relations with that woman", for instance. An "urge" laced with desire acted upon without much restraint or thought...our subject failed to notice and tell the truth (about how caving to his emotions would lead to a tarnished legacy, about the morality, the harassment laws, the marriage vows...his daughter's feelings, the sheer stupidity!). His reasoning powers failed in the moment and then later failed him again when reasoning without truth led to his "that woman" speech...an absolute denial of responsibility ...it only made things worse.
I can see that actions derived from fear and hate have changed the course of history, but I cannot think of a positive outcome. When people manage to overcome an outcome created through hateful acts, as in our winning WWII, it is through actions derived from self-preservation or the 'loving" desire to keep others from being harmed.
This is why a soldier is nothing like a terrorist or warmonger. It's why calling terrorists "freedom fighters" is nuts. The difference can be found in the intention, truthfulness and level of responsibility.
Terrorists don't behave or reason responsibly. They justify their actions with religious belief without question. They have no desire to try negotiations or to compromise. They choose not to live peacefully with neighbors who are willing to conduct themselves in other more positive ways for the betterment of all. The effort it requires to continue year after year on such a course is unfathomable. They have to feed the emotions that support the mission and turn their backs on all reason and emotion (love) that might cause them to doubt or change course. This is not an easy task for a human being...and it is not in any way a force for good. They willfully teach their children to blow themselves and/or others up...they target civilians for maximum effect. Terrorists have to choose over and over again to continue on the path of destruction, vengence and murder.
Soldiers are willing to stand against such cold, "hatefilled people...but it requires incredible determination. A soldier must consciously set aside emotions and act deliberately...not pretending or rationalizing or making reasonable excuses. The modern day free world soldier knows what he is doing and though he may regret the necessity, he understands it. His mission is to defend the innocent...all who are innocent. He desires to preserve life, his own, those of his buddies, the local civilians, his family and indeed the whole human family. If good comes out of this war it will have come from the conscious responsible efforts of the soldiers and those who have led them. This sacrifice and dedication requires that we honor them.
Murtha, Pelosi, others don't get it.
Question of the day..."How do you negotiate with a terrorist?"
My answer...only with your head...well, a lady doesn't say such things.
As for Elton, I doubt if he's given much thought to his own capacity for hate or to the part he has played in awakening others to reply. I guess that was my point.
Posted by: Tina at November 14, 2006 09:52 PM