Unethical Hatred

In our society, we live in a world full of hate. So many people have become polarized in so many ways, it is sickening. Hate takes on many forms and it is growing fast. How we let hate come in and rule over our lives speaks volumes for us as individuals and as a group.

Hate is not a universal wrong. While it would be a wonderful world to have no hate. That is one utopia we can't afford to have. Hate is a primal emotion, it is required to survive and thrive in this world. We become hateful when we feel endangered. Most animals have a fight or flight mentality. Both men and women are equally capable of becoming enraged.

We have a concept that hate is negative and should be shunned. Why people are hateful must be learned. People are generally good, and so there needs to be a reason why. Anger is considered to be the same as hate, but there is a difference. Being angry is when you are disgusted with a situation or person. This feeling is generally short lived. Anger is a temporary event. Hatred is different, hate is a grudge that you feel. It is a long lasting and has its roots into each individual's backstory. Think about some of the simple hates you have, such as a type of food. Maybe you hate Zucchini because your mom made you eat it as a child. Events and influences in our backstory cause these hates. Ignorance and ms-information are the main sources of hated. Children are not born racist, they are taught to be racist.

Prejudices are taught through biases about the roles of different groups. Every single Political, racial, civic, and sexual piece of discrimination is a form of hatred. People tell how we shouldn't trust blacks, because of some stupid reason. Strictly religious people tell the masses how homosexuality is an abomination. Those that are devout with those religions are taught to hate those that are different from their standards. Political viewpoints have become extreme in current times. Party lines and hot topics create hate by dividing people against each other.

How do we combat this hate? Compassion and understanding are the first two keys we need to get past this hate. We need to understand their perception. Understanding a perception doesn't mean that you agree with it. Finding their perception tell us why they feel and act the way they do. This can lead to opening up communication. That is part of the other two keys we need in resolving hate.

Communication and education are very necessary in ridding the world of hate. Blurting facts won't make a bit of difference. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. If someone believes that Hispanics are crossing the border and smuggling in drugs, just posting crime statistics for the last 50 years is going to do nothing. An open dialog with people where they can also give their opinions and information is needed. This interaction lowers defenses and allows information to be processed. We have to be patient and show understanding to stop the hate.

“No Platform” is a form of hate as well. It is an extreme view of absolutism. You must agree with me or you will be silent. This is one form of unethical hate that I see coming from both sides of every battle. We may not agree with another person's views, we might even call them hateful. But each person has the right to think for themselves as they wish. It becomes unethical when you broadcast your views, but deny a;ll other perspectives. It is believing that you have the right to say whatever you wish, but if anyone says anything opposing you are offended and you have the right to silence them.

On social media the demand of absolute loyalty is tested with every post. People will remove you from groups for the wrong use of words. Standards are enforced to fit into any group. Are you faithful enough? They will scan every post to test and police you. You could openly support the LGBT community, but one wrong word or statement could turn that LGBT group against you. This mistrust breeds hate as well. They refuse to use compassion and understanding.

Most social media types are thin skinned as well. Any opposing view or view that doesn't fully support a post is viewed as an attack or “trolling”. Posting a moderate well worded viewpoint on an extreme viewpoint post is usually viewed in this manner. These extremists are so hateful they view all differing views as attacks and build a 'cult of personality' around them and opposing them. These cults fester in hate and distrust. Feminist Anita Sarkeesian is a prime example of this cult of personality and hate. Her one sided videos incite fellow feminists to hate and mistrust men. This creates the counter culture of men arguing back. Some men use reason and compassion and others use Anita's level of spite. Anita does “No Platforming”, which doesn't allow dialog and promotes hate.

Ethics are important , they are the rules that we live by. Ethics are the core of knowing what is wrong and right. Each person has their own unique code of ethics. These ethics are built just like our hatred and prejudices. Every decision and action molds our ethics. Our education and civil interactions also shape our ethics. In every religion and culture there is a set of ethics and they are placed on us. One of these universal rules is Doing onto others as you would have done to yourself.

We get angry at undefined events and make rash unethical demands of vengeance. When Collin Kaepernik refused to stand during the National anthem, the outrage was instant and the outrage was unfounded. People demanded that Kaepernik be fired, they claimed that he was being unpatriotic. Doesn't Mr Kaepernik have the right to protest and have freedom of expression? Well According to the constitution, he has that right to protest exactly the way he did. All that hate is from people that refused to respect the constitution. And ironically, mandatory patriotism like what all these demanded, is what they do in Fascist/communist nations like North Korea. Their ignorance on other people's rights created a hate that should not have happened. These people lacked the compassion and understanding needed for the events that occurred.

Civil rights protests and the counter protests are growing more and more violent. This hate grows on both sides of aspect. But the violence could be stopped with some understanding and patience. People have the right to assemble and protest if they want. When we act to block, we only incite the hatred more, because they are feeling oppressed. Tempers will flare and hatred will lead to violence. Counter protesting is an action of hate as well. This action is a physical form of “No Platforming” . The other side is offended that an opposing group is voicing their views. So they form a protesting body in direct opposition. It doesn't matter what the cause is, the counter protest group is guilty of creating an atmosphere that promotes violence. They could have protested elsewhere or at a different time, but elected to go against another group of people. And just like the social media, a verbal barrage of opposing views escalates and creates more rifts and more hate.

This escalation is dangerous, in every group there is a zealot, a radical. This person is overwhelmed by emotions and will do something horrific. As I write this statement , yesterday a young man drove a car into a crowd of people that he was in opposition with. He killed one lady and injured several others. He tried to drive away, but he was apprehended. It was his lack of compassion and understanding that lead him to ignore his ethics and take a life. When the cause is more important that the people, you are dangerous.

This is one of the reasons for this statement. We as a society have lost our ability to reason and moderate with others. Hate has been able to grow unchecked in so many areas. Conservatives attack liberals. Feminists belittle Male aspect of society, The religions seek to silence that that believe differently. So many take the radical approach and close dialog with anyone that thinks differently.

Unethical hate has one more foul twist. People attack others without regard to any limitations. They feel so passionate about a topic that any means to achieve victory is allowed. Actions that you would protest if they were done to yourself, you do without concern. When you forget that you are dealing with another person, and just view them as the enemy, you have become an instrument of hate. All things that you have worked for and virtues that you claim are worthless.

The neo-nazi/white supremacy protests are something I disagree with. Their ideals are in opposition with what I believe in. But today I found myself defending the individuals attending that protest, but not their ideals. Like Mr. Kaepernik, they have the right to protest even when I disagree with the reason why. And people have the right to disagree with the protest as well. What I saw were memes of the protesters asking if you recognize them, and if you were their employer. I see this as an unethical hateful move. If the person was part of the march but committed no acts of violence, why should he be fired? This is a personal attack, and the people that are supporting this action would be upset if someone did the same thing to them. Yes, they have different views, but people have the right to express those views. They are ignoring their own ethics to attack a person they don't even know. They are lacking the compassion, understanding, and decent morals.

Hate has overran our society. It has blinded and divided people. We go by labels and groupings , seeking to find our space to be safe and accepted in. Ignorance and fear has turned people against communication and diplomacy. I find it so hard to communicate with others because they can't or won't understand my viewpoint. I give you this statement to inspire you to encourage compassion, understanding, patience, communication, and education. To stop hate, we must overcome the ignorance that created the hate. We must fill that void with knowledge and kindness. The journey will be long and hard worked, but in the end, it will be worth it.

Should Pagans Preach?

Should a Pagan preach? There are hundreds of people willing to be teachers of magick and witchcraft. But there are little or any pagans that try to preach. Now the subject matter here is what is important. No pagans are supposed to go around and try to convert people to Paganism. What about p5reaching aka talking about how to present oneself or act in the world.

We know that certain things are right and wrong, but we don't have anyone telling the world how we feel and view things. There are a few people that  talk  about how racism has entered some of the Norse pagans groups.  But people outside of the pagan world only see what  they  can easily find or what  is thrown in front of them.  We know that  there are a slight few Norse groups that  have neo-Nazi members, and they  use those beliefs as a shield or excuse to  act the way they  do. A vast majority of the Norse focused Pagans are anti-racism , and are disgusted with  these actions. 

We are all  told to "be silent".  We shouldn't ruffle feathers and get the ire of sensitive Christians that  can't handle anyone believing differently than themselves.  Being Silent, be scared, and being kept hidden has also  kept us from forming a community and a voice.  Saying that  our  Pagan Community is fragmented is being nice.  We lack so  much from being a community, we are our worst enemies.  We are over-protective of our personal beliefs and we will  go  against anyone that  would try to  lead us because somehow he doesn't understand you perfectly. How dare that  Strega tell a Celtic what  he should do!!  This is also  due to  our past history with  the Christian church, we don't want anyone to  tell us how and what  to  believe.

So how do  we get past this? We won't never really get past this.  I  was talking to  a friend yesterday  and she mentioned that  most Pagan groups last about 3 years and then  everything falls apart and then a new group or groups form from the wreckage.  This is a continuing struggle with  this.  We are so  distrusting of others when it comes to  our beliefs that  we will  destroy the group to  protect ourselves. We think  that  we are right on everything, that  we can't allow someone that  doesn't think  like you to  be in control for long. 

What  the Pagan community needs is someone, but better yet some people that  would be willing to  take the blunt of the opposing attitudes and rise up  to  show what  a Pagan community could be.  I  have been focusing on the Roku  channel  for Pagans.  It is a two  sided sword with  electrodes connected to  it.  This could give the Pagan community a voice that  could be heard around the world.  A platform that  any  opposing group couldn't take down.  one whole category could be Pagan news videos.  SO  people on the east coast would know what  is happening on the west coast, and vice versa.  It would be a way to  let solitary  practitioners that  they  aren't alone.  Categories can be used by  predominant pagans on YouTube adding interesting content  and educating others about what  Paganism is and isn't.  But toes will  be stepped on, people that  aren't comfortable that  anyone was speaking about Paganism, will  be enraged. The thick skin required to  stand up  would be amazed and draining.  If a group was to  stand up,  everything they  do  would be over analyzed and twisted against them.  SO  a You tuber that  joined the group of people speaking about Paganism could face a public out lash that  could ruin a Pagan You Tube channel, but it could also  energize it as well.

What  does this have to  do  with  Preaching?  EVERYTHING.....   I  am going to  continue the research  and structuring of this Roku Pagan channel idea.  I  am wanting one category to  be about spirituality and ethics. I  personally would not allow a hell fire and brimstone  video on the channel.  But a set of videos talking about Pagan ethics and spirituality would work  to  explain to  the world how we Pagans think and practice.  There would be a category devoted to  education.  SO outsiders looking in could learn what  the difference is on so many  traditions.  This channel  would be about the spirituality of Pagans.  Not about converting, but  promoting understanding about Paganism in its many  forms.

How would I  preach  about spirituality of Pagans?  I  would start with  talking about ethics. There is this concept about  "Character Counts". 6  pillars used to  being a better person.  Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.  Pagans focus on the divine and the magic , but little is focused here.  But I  believe that  we need someone to  focus on the character of Pagans to  show us in a better light.  Citizenship is about being part of a community, but  so many  of us are loners or very  distrusting.  If we can't have citizenship, we can never have a community.

I  would then continue talking about different aspects as they  relate to  other traditions.  Now one of the reasons I  am  motivated to  do  this is the also  educate some of those that  oppose Pagans,  some of those people are open to  reason and so  reason must be used.   Look  at how they  relate all  pagans as devil worshippers that  perform ridiculous rituals.  Have a video  showing how the wiccan rede makes those claim mute.  Of course that  would only cover the Wiccans, but they  are a part of the Pagan community. 

Would you as part of the Pagan community speak  for or against someone that  stood up and refused to  be silent.? Would you give that  person a chance before condemning that  person?  Are you wanting to  be part of a bigger community?