Becoming Those We Hate
Late last week Rush Limbaugh made awful, derogatory comments about Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke. Since then, it is has been a top story on all the major news outlets. Limbaugh’s comments have drawn the ire of many, and several companies have chosen to no longer advertise on his show.
People have quickly taken sides on this ugly situation, which has only made things uglier. It’s been fascinating to see how things continue to devolve. The irony is that those who are shouting the loudest on both sides are the same ones becoming like those they are criticizing.
Those who are angry with Limbaugh have wasted no time calling him names. What they fail to realize is that as soon as they make a derogatory comment about Limbaugh, they have in that moment become like him. It’s hard to believe this, but it is true.
Anytime, anyone slanders another or rips her apart using hateful words it is wrong. While it can feel good to destroy Limbaugh with our words, they must remember that he is deeply loved by God as one who is fearfully and wonderfully made.
If they are to be upset about anything, it should be his words. When it comes to Limbaugh himself he is to be loved. When it comes to a heart that is capable of speaking about another the way he has done, they should have sorrow for him that produces compassion.
Many who are for Limbaugh immediately began to praise him for standing his moral ground. They have supported him, his show, and condoned his behavior. They believe that all is fair in love and war. Since many have convinced themselves that they are in a war for their religious rights, using slurs against a young woman is well within the bounds of fairness.
What they fail to see is that fear-based, hateful rhetoric directed toward another person is not from God. The God that these people claim to worship “is Love.” The same God who deeply loves Limbaugh also sees Fluke as his valuable, cherished daughter crafted in his image and likeness.
If they are to be worried about anything it should not be legislation that is taking placeoutside of the Church, but the embrace of fear and hate that is taking place inside the Church. It is not a war against the Church that will destroy it. It is the response of those who are a part of the Church that will. When Jesus was met with hatred and opposition he wept. When those who hated him killed him, he asked his Father to forgive them.
Any time the Church is confronted by something that is perceived as a threat, the best response is to imitate Jesus in our embrace and radical love of those who pose the threat. When the Church responds with hate and attacks they are only becoming like those who they believe are attacking them.
No doubt, this saga is far from over. As it continues, every time a person from one side throws out angry, hateful words they only become more like those they are against. In the end, it may just be near impossible to tell them apart.