Where does this idiotic notion on the left that hate is a bad thing come from?

[chaska]

Hatred is a necessary requirement for social change. Hate is a natural human emotion, without it you can't gather the energy to break out of apathy. Let he who is without hate go and sit in front the oppressor's bulldozer (and get his ass run over - we know what these people are capable of). You can love your enemy to death (your own death) if you want; me, I'll be gathering stones (to throw, in case you're wondering).

People say the same thing about "whining": "stop whining". Listen, s/he who does not complain accepts his/her slavery to a system created and maintained by abusers. Fuck that shit! If it weren't for people who were disatisfied with the status quo, we'd still be living in caves.

The time for pacifism is over. If you wish to argue the point, I've got better things to do. Read Derrick Jensen's 'Endgame - Vol II, Resistance'. I think you'll be, uh, entertained by what he has to say about Ghandi, for example.

We haters and complainers have a role to play in society. We point out what's wrong and start the ball rolling for change. So I say let your freak flag fly, bitch until critical mass is finally achieved and the tipping point tipped and things, at long last, change.

Derrick Jensen is the most important "leftist" writer on the planet right now. Read him.

See the link in my sig line.

[glowing]

1. Because hatred is self-defeating.

Its a festering sore... and I think enough people have had enough hate in this world. It doesn't mean I don't work to right the wrongs, I just don't harbor the hate.

[Buzz Clik]

2. No. Hate is unhealthy and destructive.

[Jed Dilligan]

3. It comes from Jesus and Buddha

You'll find that the people who preach against hate are spiritualists. I won't say whether that's good or bad, it just seems to be the case.

[ima_sinnic]

4. I agree, the time for wussy kumbaya is over

I used to be a naive pacifist--until I saw that I was just getting screwed over, time and time again.
For everything there is a season, and now is the right time to hate everything and everybody related to *co--those who voted for them, those who accept their payola, those who kill in their names, those who are sucking the world dry with their greed and lies.

[porphyrian]

5. Some people just can't stand negativity or conflict of any kind.

For them, it may be best to banish all things negative from their lives, and they may not realize or believe that these things affect others differently than themselves, or that there is value in some of us NOT taking the same exact path. However, they usually start ignoring you after you display enough anger to pass their threshold, so I just do that rather than tell them what to believe or how to act.

[Jade Fox]

6. Are you confusing hate with anger?

I agree, the time for pacifism is over. Those who think we can "out-nice" an opposition bent on destroying us drive me nuts. But hate is a toxic emotion that mostly hurts the hater IMO. Anger, on the other hand, fuels action, or at least it should.

I will definitely read Derrick Jensen, because I'm intrigued by your post.

[LWolf]

7. From a deeper understanding

and a broader view.

People refuse to hate because it is destructive. It does not follow that refusing to hate means that one must lie down in front of a bulldozer. It isn't a passive stance. One can be proactive, energetically work for change, research, make informed decisions, and take other constructive action without hate.

Most of the world's atrocities spring from fear, hate, and greed.

Refusing to participate in those things is "enlightened," not "idiotic."

[Selatius]

8. From the people who survived Auschwitz and lived the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s?

You sure know how to confuse anger and sheer hate.

[OHdem10]

9. Healthy and Justifiable Anger is Good--Hatred Blinds

one's thinking process. Thus arguments become very narrow.

In the end one loses.

We need to educate our Media. Righteous Anger is good.

[nosillies]

10. As other posters have mentioned, I don't know if you've chosen the right words.

Hate means "to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest."

Whine means "to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way."

Neither of those definitions include anything about taking any action.

It is erroneous to conclude that hate leads to action and whining leads to action. Quite often, they do not. Hatred and whining are good for nothing if they only lead to one's sitting around being full of hate and whining about it.

As for me, I'll stick with those who get angry (not filled with hate) about inequity, injustice, etc. and speak out against it (not complain) or take action against it. Somehow, I think they're too busy actually doing something to sit around and be consumed with hatred and whine about stuff.

And the bottom line is this: haters and complainers are such miserable gits that no one much wants to be around them anyway. So much for leading and influencing others when no one wants to suffer your company.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

11. The Only Idiotic Notion Is That Hatred Is Ever Useful.

Wise people don't truly hate; EVER.

That's a fact.

If someone thinks hatred is ever a beneficial notion, they are not too wise nor worthy of any serious respect.

[Madspirit]

16. I think OMC

Or at least I hope, they are confusing anger with hate. Hate is just a feeling but not one that should ever be encouraged to grow. Anger can be used positively.
Lee

[Solon]

12. You are confusing anger with hate, anger is an emotion, hate is a learned behavior...

that is a response to anger or fear. Generally those who hate have deeper problems psychologically, usually dealing with self esteem, people that have little regard for themselves have little regard for others as well, and this can lead to resentment and hatred.

[mondo joe]

13. I don't think hatred is the worst thing, nor is it a necessary thing. It's just a feeling.

Denial of feelings is a sort of blindness, but giving in is no more useful.

Feel whatever you feel - but let reason guide your actions.

[Madspirit]

15. A reasoned man...Mondo Joe...n/t

[Matariki]

14. I like you. You're nifty.

;-)

[Warren DeMontague]

17. Aint no time to hate.

Barely time to wait.

[libodem]

18. No more Mrs. Niceguy

I'll help you hate 'em all! Do you think the Republicans are sending us love vibes and that they are not righteously indignant about the slightest hint of liberal ideology, made up or not. I think it is time to stop loving our enemies and kick them in their asses. So there.