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People discriminate against people. People are treated differently based on preferences and prejudices. The world we live in is not set up for every person to accept or respect every person equally all the time. There are two ditches: discriminate for ungodly reasons or attempt to create a world where every person is equal and treated equally.
You can add a thousand more illustrations to this acceptance/rejection construct. These are standard and accepted practices that only become problematic when our acceptance/rejection practices are uploaded and laced with hate.
It is never right to hate another person. Though you can make a case for selecting your associations, you cannot make a case for hating anyone. You might hate what they do. A mantra that says, “I can select who or what I want to select—within a proper moral framework—while not hating on anyone,” has to be the foundation for working through our problems.
1: This broad middle ground between my freedom to exercise my preferences while not hating anyone is full of landmines. There is no satisfying answer for determining the correct worldview or path forward for this middle ground.
2: I will suggest a Christian presuppositional worldview, but that suggestion will be met with anger and hate speech. Do you see the problem? Do you sense the impasse? “Who gives you the right to choose the kind of world we will live in?”
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:18-19).
3: My view automatically creates rejection while giving the person asking the question the right to choose the basis for figuring out how to give everyone a fair shot at life. Only one primary opinion will drive the discussions, while all other beliefs may influence but will subordinate to the predominant worldview.
4: I’ve got enough sense to know that my worldview will not be the driving one, though I plan to go to my grave sharing my perspective with anyone who will listen while rejecting any other worldview that tries to subvert mine. Hopefully, I will do this humbly, graciously, and wisely.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:18-21).
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:18-25).
Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).