Hate spreads

Every cause has its lunacy. Abortion, Religion, Politics, Immigration, Same-Sex Marriage; the list could go on and on. In every impassioned debate, you'll find someone willing to “line them all up and shoot them”. That haters hide themselves behind the bible, their guns, the flag, or whatever icon they feel represents their cause, doesn't change the fact they hate, and are looking for a target.

The only thing these haters want is someone to argue with, an opportunity to spew their anti-(fill-in-the-blank) rhetoric. Don’t engage these people. Don’t debate these people. Your measured words and intelligent, reasoned argument would change nothing. If anything, you’ll find yourself being drawn too near their hatred, and finding hatred within yourself.

And they will have found the target they were looking for.

What can you do? Disarm them. When their rant begins, grow silent. School your face to reveal nothing but compassion. Then change the subject.

If you’re still not able to get away from their hatred, gather yourself to walk away, look them in the eye, and say, “I’ll pray for you.” Then remove that hatred from your life. The absence will be a blessing beyond compare.