OPINION: Only God’s love can overcome hatred, violence

Why is this so? When a condition evolves in any species, it usually in some manner protects us from destruction. Early humans had to learn to defend themselves from powerful animals like lions, tigers and bears. They also had to protect themselves and their relatives from attacks by other humans during times of food shortages. Therefore, man has had the ability and willingness to attack each other from the beginning.

Today, men and women become violent for the wrong reasons. Our violence does not come from a need to defend ourselves. Usually it is the result of greed or arrogance. People kill to gain money, or they kill when they feel they are not being respected.

How often do you hear a killer argue that the victim had “disrespected” him? How often do you hear that someone died during an armed robbery? How many people die because someone felt that he had a right to impose his religious beliefs on the world?

Fort Hood happened because of religious arrogance. Columbine happened because several students felt they had been disrespected. Criminal gangs in big northern cities killed hundreds in disputes over money.

As I write this, we are waiting to hear the motive for the Washington Nava Yard killings I suspect that arrogance will be the final reason. The killer was said to have lost his active duty Naval job, and was likely seeking revenge.

All of this happens when people ignore Jesus’ teachings about love. You see, love and hatred are two sides of the same coin. You cannot have both. Those who truly have God given love cannot hate. And those who reject God cannot love. That is why Jesus taught us to love each other, and to love our enemies.

The reason we have so much hatred and violence today is because we are not being taught to have love in our lives. We desperately need the lessons of love taught in our schools, our media, and especially our homes. Only love, God’s love, can overcome the hatred and violence in our world today.

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frank@frankgillispie.com. His website can be accessed at http://www.frankgillispie.com/gillispieonline.