Introduction

 A. The above verses tell us that " in stead of HATE, we should LOVE our neighbors as we love ourselves.

  1. But the incidents of " hate crimes" hugging the headlines recently prove that man has FORGOTTEN the Lord's command on LOVING his neighbor.

  2.Does the Bible give enlightenment on hate crimes happening in the world today?

Let us " know the TRUTH..." ( John 8:32)

 B. Our approach in this lesson shall be as follows: 

  1. Meanings of Hate Crimes and Incidents

  2. Some Statistics and Facts On Hate Crimes and Incidents

  3. The Reasons and Effects of Hate Crimes and Incidents

  4. The Right and Biblical Solutions to Hate Crimes and Incidents

Discussion

 A.Meanings of Hate Crimes and Incidents

  1.Hate crimes are  " criminal acts against persons, society committed by offenders bias against a person, race, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disabilty and social orientation."

  - from the definition, we see that hate crimes are committed for many reasons

  - can be done against property as in arson, vandalism on houses, buildings, churches

  2. Hate incidents refer to behavior, attitude and remarks against persons and others

   -may not be considered criminal or illegal

 B. Some Statistics and Facts on Hate Crimes and Incidents

  1. Hate crimes as per FBI 2018 data

     - 15.3% done by juveniles

     - 9.2% were done in schools and colleges

  2. In one developed and highly urbanized nation

     - from 2004 to 2015 ( 11 years) 250,000 hate crimes and incidents per year

     - roughly, that would be 70 crimes/day

     - some incidents were not reported

  C. Reasons and Effects of Hate Crimes and Incidents

  1. There are many causes of hate crimes and incidents coming from inside and outside influences

    - drugs, alcohol, parental neglect, poverty, depression and such like

     - but BULLYING in schools, colleges and other places amount to hate crimes

     - as reaction and vengeance, bullied persons turn to violence and crimes

  2. Effects of Hate Crimes and Incidents

    - the offender becomes brutal and injurious

     - suriviving victims are traumatized and terrified

     - families(offender/victim) are frustrated powerless and vulnerable

     - create community unrest and fear

     - tendency to retaliate, revenge and to take drastic actions

 D.The Right and Biblical Solutions to Hate Crimes and Incidents

  1." Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it, " Proverbs 22:6

    - parents are to teach love to God and love to fellowmen

    - Matthew 22: 37-40 " love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neigbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments." ( NIV)

   2. Stop bullying among school children and in other places

   3. Hate crimes and incidents begin at the heart and minds of people

     - " let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice," Ephesians 4:31

     - " speak evil of no man, not to be a brawlers ( contentious) but gentle, showing all meekness to all men," Titus 3:2

    4. To hate a person is equal to murder 

      - no murderer has eternal life

      - I John 3:15 ( anyone who hates a brother is a murderer and you know that NO such murderer has eternal life in him)

    5.In Matthew 5:44 " Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"

       - before the crime and incidents happen, pray for those who persecute you

    6. Tigthen security in schools, colleges, churches, public places, commercial areas

     - limit sale of firearms and other weapons

    7. Conduct public awareness on Hate Crimes and Incidents

     - symptoms of unrest or depression

     - causes and effects of hate crimes and incidents

      - preventions and solutions

Conclusion

 A. Hate crimes and incidents have been in the world from the beginning

   1. Cain killed his brother Abel for he hated him and was jealous of him, I John 3:12

     - he belonged to the evil one and murdered his righteous brother

    2. The world hates Christ's disciples, John 15:18-19

     - If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first

      - you do not belong to this world, that is why the world hates you

  B. The remedy for the prospective " hate criminals" is the gospel of Christ

    1. Romans 1:16 " the gospel is God's power to salvation" from sins of hatred

    2. The word of God is powerful, Hebrews 4:12

      - alive and active

      - sharper than any double- edged sword

      - penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit

       - it judges the thoughts and intents of the heart

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