There is a difference between love and tolerance. There is an even bigger difference between tolerance and hate.
Tolerance means you disagree or dislike whatever is in question but can deal with it.
Hate will take you to the darkest edge of your mind with no escape. This is not a pleasant experience.
The way I see it, there are basically three stages: hate, tolerance and love. Now this is leaving out some awkward middle steps of liking and maybe some indifference, but we’re just going to go with this spectrum for now.
We as a culture have luckily moved past a lot of stages of hate.
We’ve accepted the color of skin as simply that — a different color.
A history of hate for different ethnic groups has left nothing but centuries of feuding and violence.
For those who know anything about the unfortunate past of the Jewish people, they always got the short end of the stick due to prejudices.
It can generally be agreed that no good or happiness comes from this animosity we seem to harbor.
Said negativity can be aimed at many people, groups or ideologies, but we all hate something.
Has anyone ever noticed how much energy it takes to hold a grudge?
Hate is exhausting, and for what? We are all people just trying to figure things out. We all have our passions and our fears.
Let’s leave each other be and try and accept what others stand for.
You may detest gay marriage, but what if it was you? What if you wanted to marry the love of your life, and everywhere you look, there are people screaming that the most beautiful thing you have ever felt was unnatural?
Those types of hateful actions quite honestly serve no purpose.
In the time it probably took to attend an anti-gay rally, protesters could’ve eaten a burrito or done some other positive activity that wasn’t actively berating love.
The world could use a little more love no matter whom it is between.
And then there are those who accept the feelings of unconventional couples but bash on religion. The same religions that start hospitals and relief services.
Again, this makes no sense.
It goes on and on how someone claims love for everyone and later has multiple exceptions.
We love the members of our own political parties and hate the others when we should admire the zeal and passion our opponents have for their views.
We should have discussions, not debates.
Figure out why your “enemy” acts the way they do, and accept the mistakes they have made because heaven knows you aren’t perfect.
When we understand where opposition comes from, we see more than what was just in black and white. It opens up our capacity to love and feel empathy.
Recognize the way people fight for their causes, and, even if it isn’t what you believe, appreciate it anyway.
Acknowledge differences, and move on.
Life is too short to spend so much energy despising each other.
Fight for what you believe, but never forget to listen to what others have to say.
Love your enemy.
If we try our hardest to accept and admire what makes us unique as the human race, the discussions will flow freely, kindness will be in surplus and hate will be obsolete.