Certainly there have been volumes written about hate. We also understand that a substantial portion of this planets population believe in God. Most, but not all of those religions think of God as a merciful and loving God. In fact many believe there is only one God, their God. As I mentioned in an earlier article thier position being my God is the right God. So just how do they qualify themselves as a believer? Oh, they can claim anything they want to about what God wants them to do but God is Love. No other definition, so just where do they slide the hate in?

Christians, Muslims and Jews even understand that Love sums everything up. That without love you have and are nothing. That denying love you are not a true believer you are a professor. "The gate is narrow and those who find it are few."

So the foundation of hatred is sown in that very premise that if you reject love you accept hate. It starts there and it grows into every aspect of mankind. So even while many go to church, mosque, synagogue or whatever it matters not because they may not have overcome hate and they do not practice what they profess they are.

Well what do I mean by that? Frankly hatred can be found everywhere in the world, even in families. Hate can be seen expressed in color, race, religion, sex, economics and a host of other everyday norms. Whites, hate whites, whites hate blacks, blacks hate blacks, blacks hate whites, Arabs hate infidels, Arabs hate other Arabs, All hate Jews, and Jews hate others as well, etc, etc, etc. The list and circumstances are so long and complex the article and volumes would never end, yet they all profess belief in God.

Here is a simple example and not anything like the heavy-duty hatreds of war or greed but none the less a type of hate. The same applies when one moves in any other region it is not the private domain of the south.

A person wanted to move from one southern state to another. The person was white. He investigated a move to a white affluent area in another state. It was a beautiful state clean and green. It just so happened he was an Italian and from the north but living in another southern state for over twenty years. What type of welcome did he receive? Well aside from the realtor who was nice as apple pie, you guessed it, a Northern Cold shoulder. Yes, a very reserved, cold welcome but the point could not be missed. He just did not fit into that society. Imagine what a man of color would have received? He was an "outsider" and he could possibly upset the apple cart. You know, you let one in and the rest will follow.

Now that certainly is not all southern societies, thank God, but it goes to show these little enclaves are all over. Yes, this was considered an upper middle class, successful, family environment with good church going people, low crime and good well-kept homes. Yes, it had all the outward appearances of good but deep down there was that one little sprig of hate. “We don’t like outsiders here". Now no one ever got to know the person. They judged by the name and the race, where they originally came from and the outward appearance spoke to them and said, go away. Yes, it was the Easter Bunny in reverse. What they were saying was stay away from our little world. Perhaps that is why people live in secluded gated communities? Stay away unless you meet the right criteria? Yet, these same people in many cases hold positions of power in their church and they praise the Lord all day long. They never really understand what they profess to believe in because the pastor of the flock in my opinion evidently thinks exactly the same or hasn't done a good job or teaching the faith. Some might say they are just being cautious but in reality when they search way down into their being the answer lies there. Is it caution or is it hate? Hate becaause of perceptions, the unknown, fear, and stereotype?

Now this cycle evolves day in and day out in many situations in all neighborhoods and in all nations. Sometimes it is buried under the guise of being nice. But you can bet your life it comes out in the right secret circles. Just take the situation of the one presidential candidate. What difference does it make what religion he is? Is he not just a man who should be judged on his character and record? Do we blame stupidity, ignorance or just what? I myself believe in my opinion those are the words that cover, hate. Once again what does his faith have to do with doing the job?

In my prior articles I speak of love of neighbor. Yet how can anyone call himself or herself a Christian or Muslim or Jew, or any religious that professes God is Love, etc and not hold those qualities up front if they say they believe in that God of love? How can they not put them into work in their daily lives and decisions?

We hear little children spouting "I hate so and so" and they go without correction. Do you think they learned it from mom or dad or someone close? We readily hear the parent or guardian say "they are just a kid’. No, when you make the hate word acceptable you allow it to fester. It is now ok to hate.

So when you add up all the woes of this world and you truly look at the problems we all have we start with hate, because if we keep hatred we cannot possibly love? If we hate one thing you can be sure we hate in other things. Outward signs of hate are everywhere. Arrogance, false pride, demanding, cursing, conflict are the normal signs, yet you can also have the secluded hidden signs. They are a cold shoulder, a polite but aloft reaction or interaction, a curt reply or avoidance. Yes, we can apply it selectively to those who fit our criteria and allow them entry but we don’t accept everyone. All the negatives creep into the equation, fear, anxiety, the unknown, perception, and belief history. Yes, if we cannot bypass hate we cannot bypass the other negatives, greed, exploitation, selfishness, pride, ego, etc, etc, etc.

No, caution is not hate. Hate is the downright dislike of a person. Hate is what kills, maims, and destroys not only the body but also the soul. If you hate and go to your reward without showing mercy, compassion, forgiveness my opinion is that the God of Love you profess will demand much of you. If you kill, exploit, use, harm and take advantage of any of His I believe He will demand payment and restitution. No, no vestal virgins or Garden of Paradise perhaps Purgatory or worse?

In it my opinion one should not expect reward for hate. Instead one should study hard all the WORDS OF THEIR FAITH and understand that Mercy, Compassion and Love are the essence of God and not hate!

We should all think about what we profess to be. Perhaps this world just might change?

All the Same

Until man learns we are all the same,
The world will burn with fire and flame.
Biometrics makes us all unique,
But the longings of man the same for each.
We separate ourselves by religion and wealth,
By greed and selfishness we destroy our health.
We are the same in desires and needs,
No matter what country, faith or creed.
So when will we understand, we are all truly the same.
Not by nation and no not in a name.
No not in a religion, or even by wealth,
But by the longings of all men for peace and health.
Yes, these are the things we all truly seek.
Yet the brutal among us take from the meek.
So until we unite the world as one,
The song of greed and death will be sung!
So wake up you children, see your fathers misdeeds.
Take the words of this poem and take heed!
You can change the world for all our sake.
By peace and love a new world you make!

Robert Melaccio Sr.

Copyright ©2007 Robert Melaccio Sr

Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2007 Copyright ©2007 Robert Melaccio