I sat down to write this segment titled Love the Unloved with this main idea: love and forgiveness free us from the weight of hatred and judgement. I quickly realized that maybe I had chosen a topic that was a tad bit too broad. So, instead I'm going to write a series of articles, this being the first, talking about the way hatred seeps into our lives. It does it in big ways and small, and if we aren't careful hate doesn't just take an inch, it eats us whole. I wasn't sure where to start. After all there are so many choices: the presidential election, the Black Lives Matter movement, gender equality... But ultimately I decided that I wanted to begin with religion.

The world today seems to fall into three main camps: those who believe in something greater, those who don't and those who resent one of the other groups. You can think of it as a Venn Diagram too, where there are people in all sorts of grey areas between the three. I realize that in the world today there are many different religions, denominations of religions, radical followers and passive followers. For the sake of this article, and the audience primarily reading it, I am going to focus on Muslims, Christians and those of us who don't follow either of those faiths. I will be blunt. I am a Christian, a "Bible Thumper," as I'm sure some of you will be horrified to know. I realize some bias will inevitably come with that. For those of you who do not believe what I believe, I encourage you to read this anyway. I am not here to preach or convert. I am not here to tell you are wrong, sick or sinful. I am here to say that I respect your beliefs, and will not be spending any time in this article telling you otherwise. Deal? Deal. Now, back to business.

First, to the atheist, the agnostic, or the just plain confused (a group I have often found myself in). The belief in something greater often comes with a slew of stereotypes, misnomers and labels. No matter where you sit someone creates a brand for you, and heaven forbid if you don't follow the norm. I understand completely not having faith in a God and believing that what's under the microscope is all there is, and that you're content. More power to you. What I often have trouble understanding is the resentment so often harbored against religious followers. Don't get me wrong, I've seen the destruction of proselytizing. The hurtful attacks on your beliefs, and the all too common accusation and sentence to eternal damnation. I promise, as a Christian I'm just as disgusted as you are by all that. We go about things the wrong way, and in many cases the actions of a few poison the whole bag of apples. My question is: what good does it do to lash out? If I've learned one thing about strong willed people, it's that someone pushing back only causes a bigger push in response. Yeah they're annoying and oftentimes disrespectful. But what harm are they really doing? It's like a horsefly; yeah, its bites can hurt like hell, but at the end of the day you just swat the damn thing away. I encourage you to ignore the attacks on your beliefs, until you personally feel ready to seek out some sort of answer. That journey is up to you. The violence in the world in the name of religion is appalling. Horrifying. But echoing and reciprocating that hate only adds to the fire. It never really takes it away. Have you ever tried throwing water on a grease fire to put it out? Doesn't really work all that well. Despite our bullheadedness and, occasionally, despite our outright violence, let it go. You'll feel so much lighter and so much more at peace when you let all those little things be.

Now, to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I oftentimes find myself more surprised at Christians than anyone else, despite the fellowship we share. Matthew 7: 1-2 says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." It horrifies me to see the men and women our Lord saved be so cruel to others. That absolutely goes for non-believers, and also for our brothers and sisters in the Muslim faith (I'll get to that in a moment). But more than anything, Christians are cruel to our own. I don't care what your denomination's view on homosexuality is. It doesn't matter whether you are pro-life or pro-choice. It doesn't matter whether you believe in transubstantiation or don't care for communion at all. That's not what we need to be talking about here. The moment you judge your brother or sister, you bring that same judgement on yourself. Humanity is arrogant. After all, the Fall happened because we were too eager to be equal with God (a sin that Satan also committed, by the way). I find no better example of our arrogance than when you put down another human being for something that is between them and your God. Let your hatred, your bitterness, and your resentment go. Colossians 3:13 says "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." When you find yourself quick to lash out, remember these words. Hatred creates nothing but more hatred.

Romans 12:14-21

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

What beautiful words from Paul. And when I read them my heart breaks. It breaks for our fellow Christians, stomped on and crushed, when we are each as sinful as the next. And moreover my heart breaks for Muslims all over the world, who are broadcast as murderers for the actions of a few. Remember too that not so long ago we held crusades across the world. Remember that Christians too fought wars in God's name. And above all else, when someone mistreats you, try to view it as an opportunity to grow in grace and not in bitterness. I understand the need to defend our families and homes from extremists, and I deeply honor the men and women, Christian and otherwise, in our armed forces. However act not in anger, or out of a vengeful heart. Look to others with the same love Christ showed the Jews, his own people, who put him to death.

Lastly, to my Muslim brothers and sisters. To those who feel uncomfortable wearing their native garb, or who look upon their skin color with disdain. Know that you are not alone, and that you are not hated. You are loved and blessed and beautiful. I apologize for the actions of so many against you. I understand that the men acting in the name of Allah do not do so with an understanding of what He truly meant. They are lost. I hope and pray that someday we can guide them to a right path, just as I hope and pray that someday you can once again walk city streets without the feeling of so many cruel eyes upon you. I apologize to you that my message is such a short one, but you see the answer is simple. You are loved. You are people of God. You are not the violent monsters so many make you out to be. You are persecuted. But someday, with the continued efforts of myself and so many others, this hard time too will end. Despite national lines, despite ancestral roots, despite language, and despite our differences we are all human. And there is an equality inherent in that.

Brothers and sisters, let resentment over faith, belief, or lack thereof melt away. God gave humanity free will. Take heart in that, and remember the responsibility that comes with it: You are free to believe what you choose, and so is the man on your left, and the woman on your right. In the end our choices are between us, and whatever comes in the life beyond this one.

Peace,

Eric Jensen