hate speech, hate crimes, xenophobia, unlovingness, right and wrong

What does the Bible say about hate speech?

Hate speech is a modern phenomenon. But what is hate speech and what is not, and what does the Bible say about it? Human behavior is predicted in the Bible

Nowadays, there is a lot of talk about hate speech. It means an attitude of cursing, despising and slandering those who think differently or those who stand in the way of a person's goals. Such speech may be directed at politicians, authorities or ordinary citizens. Often, the person who utters hate speech can be full of cursing and bitterness, as expressed in a passage in the Bible:

- (Rom 3:13,14) Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Disrespectful and contemptuous speech has apparently also increased. Others are cursed and slandered more than before, especially if they are different from us. The reason could be different looks, opposing opinions, or any smaller reason. We live in a society where we no longer value our neighbors as much as before.

Fairly recent newspaper articles refer to the topic. They show how disrespectful behavior occurs more than before. The direction of development is not good but bad. The first of the articles mainly tells about xenophobia and its growth, the second about bad behavior towards municipal employees. Increased hate speech and belittling behavior hinders people's everyday life:

Increased hate speeche disturb people’s ordinary life

Hate seminar: Muslim women must avoid going out. “Any one of the well-dressed Finnish people can spit in your face.”

…You can hear hate speech on the streets, in public transportation, in schools, in the media, in social media and even from politicians. Hate speech has increased over the last few years remarkably, as well as hate crimes.

- The situation seems very worrying. The amount of hate crimes increased this year by 50 per cent from last year, tells superintendent Måns Enqvist from the police administration in the Hate speech-seminar organized by the Federation of Human Rights in Helsinki on Tuesday.

What makes the situation problematic is that people, who are victims of hate speech or hate crimes, do not report it. The majority of hate speech offences remain in the dark.

"The atmosphere has changed, and hate speech has increased a lot over the past five years," said Habiba Ali, projector coordinator from the Foreign Aid of the Church. She came to Finland from Somalia at the age of six.

She used to know, who are the people to be wary of in public areas: skinheads and drunks. Now any one of the well-dressed Finns might spit on her… (Etelä Suomen Sanomat 30.11.2016)

Violence experienced by municipal employees has increased

The job barometer of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy (TEM) shows that violence experienced by municipal employees and the threat of it have increased drastically in less than ten years.

Last year, almost half of municipal employees observed violence or the threat of it. More than 20 percent experienced violence themselves or the threat of it. In 2008, the corresponding figures were just under 30 percent and more than 10 percent... (Etelä-Suomen sanomat 15.2.2017)

A third quite recent article or its heading also refers to current day (Etelä-Suomen Sanomat 23.10.2016). It shows, how teachers are under pressure due to students and their parents. The article then tells, among other things, how 74,4% of teachers thought that the behavior of students had gotten worse.

The heading of the front page:

School: ESS poll reveals, teachers subjected to violence, vandalism, threats and parents’ rage

The poll that the teachers took part in:

How do you think the behavior of students has changed over the last few years?

2,6% it has gotten better

23,1% it has stayed the same

74,4% it has gotten worse

The poll of OAJ: Students are the worst bullies to teachers in the whole country

according to the poll 50% of elementary school teachers have experienced bullying over the last year.

And what was it like in Finland before? In modern times, it is a common idea that humanity is developing all the time and that in modern times we are wiser and better than in past times. Modern people are thought to be morally superior to people of past times.

Is this the case though? Are modern people better than, for example, our grandparents? Let's look at a related quote. An old lady, already deceased, has told about, what it was like in her youth. She stated how in previous decades there was a much more respectful atmosphere here than today. The use of language was more refined and more appreciative of others compared to modern times. In this respect, the development has therefore gone for the worse, not for the better:

... At that time, there was already this restlessness in the world and there was a lot of it. It was not such restlessness that people were afraid of war, it did not exist yet. I understood that humanity has somehow drifted away from God. People did talk in a civilised manner and had high morals. Drinking or swearing in public was very uncommon then. If there was a party or a gathering, people never cursed or came to the party drunk. People considered such behaviour substandard. Booze and swearing were left out at the times when Finland became independent because people were closer to God, thanks to the times of revivals. This influence lasted until the 30's or even the 40's. People did not talk dirty or rude in public. Everybody was very well-behaved, and polite towards women. Violence was very rare, too. The entire village disapproved if someone hit a woman.

Later then this violence began to increase. I fully understood the reason. As people began to reject God and distance themselves from God, the world began to swallow the young. The enemy of the soul began to bring his own doctrines. People used ugly language that was rare before. It still feels bad for me when I hear people in public or in the TV or radio cursing...

A responsible person who has experienced these two eras had to be worried about what was to come. Praise the great Lord that He has not allowed the Word to be lost among us altogether! People started to destroy, and later on even question the existence of God! It was a horrible thing to hear for a person whose life God had guided all the way, to whom God was always talking, always explaining things, and who clearly saw that God exists. Is this how far Finns have come from God? What will happen to the nation if it rejects God this way? (1)

What does the Bible say about hate speech and sins of the tongue? In the old times, our grandparents highly valued the Bible and its teachings, but what does it exactly teach? That will be our next topic of investigation. We will begin with reasons behind hate speech.

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. One of the most compressed teachings about the topic are found in the words of Jesus. He stated that "out of the abundance of the hearth the mouth speaks". It means that the words spoken by a person show what he is like from within. Words are a consequence of the state of his heart, and the two things cannot be separated from each other. The connection between the innermost part of a person and his speech can certainly be understood by everyone.

- (Matt 12:33-37) Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

34 O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

36 But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.

- (Luke 6:45) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

- (Mark 7:20-23) And he said, That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man.

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

- (Rom 1:29,30) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

James continues on the same topic. He shows that if a person has bitter envying and strife in his heart, he is not in the power of wisdom from above, because wisdom from above is its opposite. Bitter envying and strife is an expression of the state of the heart:

- (James 3:14-17) But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

What about our own mind control? If we are honest, we are guilty of what James wrote about. We have not always spoken in the spirit of meekness and love. However, gentle people have an advantage. They do not have a temperament, which is prone to irritability and anger. They never raise their voice or get angry like others do. However, everyone has to admit that he is not perfect in speech and does not hold back the use of his language. James wrote about how difficult it is to tame the language. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

- (James 3:1-12) My brothers, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, wherever the governor wants.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not so to be.

11 Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brothers, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Lack of love.

- (Matt 5:43-48) You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if you salute your brothers only, what do you more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

- (1 Cor 13:1-4) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.

4 Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,

One of the main reasons why people who think differently is cursed, despised and slandered is, of course, a lack of love. If a person really loves his neighbor, it is absolutely certain that he will not curse or slander others. This again indicates each spiritual state. A person speaks out of his heart's content, i.e. his lack of love. If he was full of love, he would act differently.

In addition, there is another side to the matter. A person who hates his brother is actually in darkness and separated from God, even though he claims otherwise. John wrote:

- (1 John 2:9-11) He that said he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loves his brother stays in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not where he goes, because that darkness has blinded his eyes.

- (1 John 3:14,15) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He that loves not his brother stays in death.

15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

- (1 John 4:20,21) If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.

What is not hate speech? When talking about hate speech, some try to explain that Christian teaching, e.g. calling homosexual sexual relations a sin would be hate speech. That is by no means the case, it is simply a view of right and wrong behaviour. Likewise, all heterosexual sex outside of marriage of a man and a wife is wrong according to the Bible (1 Cor 7:2). Similarly, we are told in the Bible about other things that are sins (eg 1 Cor 6:9,10). That is, if you call, for example, theft or murder a sin, it is not a question of hate speech, but only of drawing boundaries between right and wrong. The problem today is that people no longer note the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. That is why they can make such claims. They no longer believe that the teachings of Jesus and the apostles are current and relevant to us.

However, if the teaching of the Bible is true despite everything and we believe in it, then true love is to warn people about wrong choices, e.g. in the following way: "Don't go on that way, lest you end up in hell and lose your soul. Turn to God in time to receive forgiveness of your sins and the gift of eternal life." So, in reality, being silent, even if you believe in the teaching of the Bible, then means indifference and lack of love. Unfortunately, I admit to being guilty of this myself. I have been silent when I should have spoken the truth, as I understand it from the Bible.

Lack of respect. One of the reasons why people who think differently are cursed, despised and slandered is a lack of respect. If a person really respects his neighbor, he will not use slanderous and derogatory language. In addition, such a person forgets the following advice from the Bible, where we are told to respect our neighbor:

- (1 Peter 2:17) Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

- (Rom 12:10) Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;

- (Phil 2:3,4) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

The lack of respect is also a longer-lasting phenomenon. It's not just a momentary outburst of anger, but a persistent attitude - a contemptuous and angry attitude towards people who think differently or who are different. If we have been guilty of such an attitude, however, we have forgotten the following teachings of the Bible. According to them, we should first take a look at our own lives and not elevate ourselves above others:

- (Matt 7:1-5) Judge not, that you be not judged.

2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why behold you the mote that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?

4 Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?

5 You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye.

- (Luke 18:9-14) And he spoke this parable to certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote on his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

- (Rom 14:10-13) But why do you judge your brother? or why do you set at nothing your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, said the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

- (James 2:1,9) My brothers, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

9 But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

- (James 4:11,12) Speak not evil one of another, brothers. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judge another?

Hate speech and sin. In modern times, it is common not to talk about sin. We are now so "civilised" and "advanced" that this word has almost completely disappeared from social debate.

However, this leads to a problem. Then we have to explain evil without sin. If malice and cursing others is not a sin, then what it is? Is it just a person's imperfection or that he hasn't learned manners yet?

The Bible's answer is, of course, clear. Sin is real and it prevails everywhere in mankind. For example, in the book of Romans, it is shown how sin entered the world through one person, i.e. Adam. This is the fall into sin, which is described in the Book of Genesis:

- (Rom 5:12) Why, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed on all men, for that all have sinned:

However, the Bible shows that even though the Fall into sin touches every person, everyone must repent and turn to God. This does not mean becoming sinless and perfect, because evil always hangs in us to some extent as long as we are in this body. Instead, it means an attitude in which a person admits his wrongdoings, confesses them to God, and henceforth wants to live according to God's will in all areas of his life. Repentance, i.e. a change of mind in relation to sin, is told, for example, in in the following verses:

- (Luke 13:3) I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

- (Acts 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:

- (Acts 26:19,20) Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision:

20 But showed first to them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

So what does repentance affect in the area of hate speech? It means that a person tries to love those he has not loved and that his language is respectful and constructive. There are numerous references in the Bible to this area, where we are often quite deficient:

- (1 Peter 2:1) Why laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings,

- (1 Peter 3:9-11) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

- (Tit 3:1,2) Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness to all men.

- (2 Tim 2:23-25) But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do engender strifes.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

- (James 1:26) If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

- (James 4:11,12) Speak not evil one of another, brothers. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judge another?

- (Eph 4:29,31,32) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

- (Col 3:8) But now you also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

- (1 Tim 2:8) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

- (James 1:19,20) Why, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.

- (Ex 20:16) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

- (Ex 23:1-3) You shall not raise a false report: put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

2 You shall not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shall you speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

3 Neither shall you countenance a poor man in his cause.

- (Ex 22:28) You shall not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of your people.

- (Lev 19:16) You shall not go up and down as a talebearer among your people: neither shall you stand against the blood of your neighbor; I am the LORD.

- (Ps 34:12-14) What man is he that desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile.

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

- (Prov 10:12) Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins.

- (Prov 10:18,19) He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words there wants not sin: but he that refrains his lips is wise.

- (Prov 11:12) He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbor: but a man of understanding holds his peace.

- (Prov 19:5,9) A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish.

The effect of words on eternity. What about the effect of words on eternity? Sometimes we think it doesn't really matter what we talk about.

However, in the light of the Bible, this is not true. According to it, our words have an effect until eternity, because everyone is judged according to the words that they have spoken. Jesus even said that we must give account of every idle word. Useless words are precisely all such words in which you bark, curse and despise other people, as happens in hate speech. Of course, it also includes other useless words:

- (Matt 5:21,22) You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

-(Matt 12: 36,37) But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.

- (James 3:1,2) My brothers, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

- (Gal 5:19-21) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, jealousies, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Contentions, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

- (Eph 5:3-7) But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this you know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God on the children of disobedience.

7 Be not you therefore partakers with them.

What about lying? Nowadays, we talk about fake news, which is spread on the internet and in the media. Likewise, lying may be common in interpersonal interactions. So what does the Bible say about this subject? According to it, those who love and practice lies will be excluded from the kingdom of God. They will go to hell as can be seen from the following verses. Take heed of this warning, dear reader, and therefore turn to God in time to avoid hell.

- (Rev 21:8,27) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life

- (Rev 22:14,15) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.

The last days and hate speech. At the end of this, it is worth taking a Bible prophecy related to the topic. Because it is interesting that this subject, hate speech, has been prophesied through Paul. It would be one sign especially of the last days. Then people would be without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers as Paul predicted. And as stated, development in this direction has taken place gradually. Nowadays people are not respected as much as in past decades. This was brought up earlier.

- (2 Tim 3:1-5) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.