A Growing Culture of Hate

As we look at the current war in Gaza, we see the results of teaching children to hate Israel and glorify terrorism from their very young years, even in school (Council on Foreign Relations, May 1, 2017). In response to the violent Hamas attacks, we also see young Israeli rap artists encouraging their listeners to move from despair and mourning to anger (Jerusalem Post, December 16, 2023). Hate is emerging as a driving force for violence between nations on the world stage.

We also see anger and hate motivating mass shootings and killings in locations all over the world—Africa, Mexico, Europe, and the United States. The BBC recently published an article calling for an end to the “culture of hatred.” The article follows the story of a Scottish mother living in Colorado with her American husband and 23-year-old son. The son was recently shot and killed by a 15-year-old during an argument. In an interview, the mother observed, “I don’t believe for a single minute that we can change any of the gun laws in America, but I feel that today within the teenage youth there’s a terrible culture of hatred.” She is right!

The Bible warns that “in the last days perilous times will come,” saying that men will be “lovers of themselves,” as well as unthankful, unholy, unloving, and “without self-control” and “brutal” (2 Timothy 3:1–5). As society descends further from God, the Bible reveals that a “root bearing bitterness” or hatred would settle in (Deuteronomy 29:14–19). The Scriptures also warn that hatred is a “work of the flesh”—a fruit of those who chose to live apart from God’s laws (Galatians 5:19–21). The Bible forbids hatred (Leviticus 19:17–18), which is the spirit of murder (Matthew 5:21–22). Children must be taught to love and not to hate. Yet, the world will not truly learn the way of peace—love toward God and love toward neighbor—until Jesus Christ returns to establish the Kingdom of God! To learn more about this topic, read or listen to “‘Hate Thy Neighbor’.”