Kevin's Watch

Why not?
I've certainly enjoyed the last few.

Anyway, gotta go man, catch you 2moro -- I'll look out for the new one.

Later
--A

I've kept a personal black list in my mind of everyone that I hated. I would think about them, think about killing them, burning their houses down, chopping up their dog, mutilating their children, raping their wives, and shooting all their friends.

One day I let the list fall away. I can't remember any of them now. Not a single name.

And did you feel better for letting it go?

Yep. But I also learned a lot by having hate & controlling it.

I view hate as an insane form of anger. It's not wrong to be angry about something. It's wrong to hold that anger and keep shaping its jagged edges, holding it like a charm, molding it to part of your life. What you make can and usually does end up hurting you with its sharp edges. But I learned my limitations as well. I learned that I couldn't murder. I could retaliate in a fight, and I feel that I would kill if I had to do so, but I know now that I cannot murder... and that in itself is a freeing experience for someone who has tested himself in many ways no normal person would want to draw sand lines.

hate really isnt a problem if you can control it, and not let it rule you

I just can't accept a God who preaches hate.

I have to say one thing about God and hate....
God does not hate that which is good, and I can't think of anything wrong with hating something that's bad. With my "handy-dandy" Bible software (yes, I'm a nerd *grin*) I pulled a search on the word "hate" and found it occurs 74 times in the New International Version of the Bible. Yes, I took the time to read the verses surrounding ALL of those instances. I did not find a single one that spoke of God hating anything but that which is not good. Here are some examples (I'd put them all here if there weren't so many):

"Do not hate your brother in your heart..." -Leviticus 19:17a
"Let those who love the Lord hate evil..." - Psalm 97:10
"Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you." - Proverbs 9:8
"Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts." -Amos 5:15a
"do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD." - Zechariah 8:17
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..." - Luke 6:27
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. " - Romans 12:9

Good quotes Iryssa!!!

What I find really interesting, is the list of things (in Proverbs 6) that God himself hates:

Haughty eyes.
A lying tongue.
Hands that shed innocent blood.
A heart that devises wicked schemes.
Feet that are quick to rush to evil.
A false witness who pours out lies.
The man who stirs up dissension among brothers/sisters.

I have no problem at all with a God who hates those things. In fact, if He didn't, then I would have a problem.

But I'm also glad it's a short list..... in fact, it's as interesting for what's not included in it, as for what is.

I believe that hate is another "passion" that is inside us humans;
just like love, fear, euphoria, and other "passions" that is in our minds, and can be controlled.
(Depending upon the strength of one's will power and self-disipline.)

And I agree that hate is useless.
It really serves no purpose except just to fuel anger.
And anger can somtimes consume the hater.
I cannot think of but just a few things that I hate... no people.

Edge wrote:..... in fact, it's as interesting for what's not included in it, as for what is.

Good point Edge. If we can make the argument that anything not listed here is NOT something god hates, it could overturn many "biblical" arguments for prejudice.

--Avatar