Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Anglican bishop and author of Why God Believes in Love, is the newest columnist at the Daily Beast. In his initial piece he suggests that his perspective will be one of a critical insider. Robinson writes:
Love is the central theme of the Bible, and yet we find it so hard to live lives of love. The enemy of love is not hate, but fear. When confronted by those who seem filled with hate, I try to ask “What are they afraid of?” with as much sympathy as I can muster. Responding to hate with love is one of the most daunting tasks of those who claim to follow Jesus.
So What?
It amazes me how many Christian people and groups create an identity around what they are against. Some even go so far as to say with words or actions how much they hate a specific behavior, attribute, or political perspective. Robinson’s question — what are they afraid of? — is one we must ask as we seek to respond in love (even and perhaps especially) when the person or group seems so unlovable.
- Do you agree that the opposite of love is not hate but rather fear? Explain.
- What advice do you find to be most helpful for seeking to meaningfully engage the religious other who seems filled by hate?