The Moral Legitimacy Of Hatred

The very word hatred is enough to frighten plenty of individuals away from an idea, practice, or mindset.  Few things are as offensive to a culture of tolerance as real or perceived hatred.  This has kept many from understanding that hatred is not a moral hazard in itself--in fact, it can be a mark of moral correctness.  To hate that which is contrary to reality is a distinctive sign of concern for the reality that any moral obligations reflect.

Now, I am not referring to slanderous or otherwise unjust hatred.  For example, to hate someone who has not committed a moral error is itself unjust, and therefore morally problematic.  To hate someone for a circumstance such as their gender, race, or nationality reeks of logical errors.  Hatred itself, however, is not morally atrocious by default.  The reason behind the hatred and the manner in which it is acted upon are the only factors that can render a specific instance of hatred immoral.

Hatred is often the target of irrational criticism because many people are too unintelligent to separate the concept of hatred from distinct concepts like sexism, racism, or malice.  In an era where tolerance is seen as one of the highest virtues (even though it is logically impossible for it to be a virtue to begin with [1]), hatred is likely to be interpreted as evil even when nothing like sexism, racism, or malice is present.  There is not only no inherent connection between hatred and injustice, but hatred can be a significant ally of justice.

Indeed, a sense of strong dislike for the people who are responsible for irrationality and injustice in the world is a natural result of a strong dislike for irrationality and evil.  There is not even anything contrary to loving others about hating those without whom entire types of sin would not be practiced.  The only form of love one is Biblically obligated to harbor for all people is merely the desire for all people to be treated justly (i.e., for their human rights outlined in Mosaic Law to never be violated) and for all of the unsaved to repent.

Universal affection for humankind is not prescribed; even if it was, however, affection and hatred towards the same person can indeed coexist.  In spite of this, gratuitous and unearned affection for humankind as a whole is widely regarded as empowering and positive, while hatred of the irrational and unjust is widely regarded as poisonous.  A morally competent person is capable of loving (in the sense of having affection) and hating someone as their deeds merit.  In certain contexts, hatred has a moral legitimacy that has been almost completely ignored or denied by Christian ethicists.


[1].  https://thechristianrationalist.blogspot.com/2018/07/hate-sin-hate-sinner.html