Is America Full of Hate? The Conversation We’re Not Having

Is America Full of Hate? The Conversation We're Not Having <p> </p> <p>20-year-old woman shot and executed while pushing ‍her 3-month-old in a stroller.</p> <p>Seattle Street Preacher Assaulted at Pride Event, Abortion Rally; Arrested After Bible Thrown in Portable Toilet</p> <p>Biblically speaking, there are positive and negative aspects to hatred. It is acceptable to hate those things that God hates; indeed, this is very much proof of right standing with God. “Let those who love the Lord hate evil” (Psalm 97:10a). Indeed, the closer our walk with the Lord and the more we fellowship with Him, the more conscious we will be of sin, both within and without. Do we not grieve and burn with anger when God’s name is maligned, when we see spiritual hypocrisy when we see blatant unbelief and godless behavior? The more we understand God’s attributes and love His character, the more we will be like Him, and the more we will hate those things that are contrary to His Word and nature.</p> <p>Is America full of hate? That’s the question many are asking after a recent spate of high-profile and disturbing incidents. In just one week in late September, a man armed with an automatic rifle murdered 22 people at a restaurant in suburban Denver; a man sent explosive devices to prominent critics of President Trump, including several Jewish leaders and former Vice President Joe Biden; and, in response to these events, the president tweeted a video of him beating up another person with the face of CNN labeled as “Fraud News Network.” If you think we’re living in a particularly hateful moment — one highlighted by divisive rhetoric from our leaders — you’re not alone. But the answer isn’t as simple as that. There is ample evidence to support this claim, but this phenomenon is not new. This type of hate has always existed in America but recurs cyclically throughout history. It’s an essential distinction because figuring out why these events continue to repeat themselves is the key to resolving them. So let’s explore what is driving this c