Tag: love your enemies

Discover the impact of ghosting in our culture. Explore the potential consequences of cutting someone off without notice and a better way.

Four individuals have been charged with the crime of Malicious Harassment for the vandalism that took place on June 25, 2023, at the Veradale United Church of Christ. 

Apparently there are many people who identify themselves as Christians who are very okay with violence being an option when they don’t get their way. I’m gobsmacked — but not shocked anymore.

We too quickly let language stand in our way of what we want to say. And I’m not just talking about the languages from cultural or ethnic backgrounds. We who speak English as our primary language too quickly subvert communication with each other when our personal attitude reveals we don’t really want to communicate with “certain other people.”

In Hannah Arendt’s "Origins of Totalitarianism," she looks at the rise of totalitarianism and its effects on humanity. In our contemporary discourse, we have returned to her analysis as we see the darkness of authoritarianism rise. She argues that the root of totalitarianism is hatred and fear, as it seeks to eliminate the other to maintain total control.

Jesus never condoned violence for his disciples or other followers. Why would any current-day followers of Jesus even consider that Jesus’ ethic of love be associated with violence in action and/or word?

Concerning Jesus command to ‘Love Your Enemies’, King says, “Far from being the pious injunction of a utopian dreamer, this command is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization.” Never more true than now!