Imus, Richards, Gibson & Hate Speech
April 13, 2007 by Mommy Zabs
Filed under Children, Current Events, Hate Speech, Social Action
If you are on the internet enough to be browsing this blog, than you are probably aware of the buzz surrounding formerly popular talk-show host IMUS. Last November you heard about the rants of Sienfeld’s Kramer, Michael Richards. July 2006, Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic tirade plagued the major news networks.
I will spare you from regurgitating details of the famous “hate speech” of these men. I agree with Southern Girl at Heart’s opinion that requiring people to apologizing when it’s quite possible the only thing they are sorry for is being caught, is pointless.
The fact is the Bible (along with common-sense) says clearly in Matthew 12:33-37:
33″Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
If our character is not in check, these things will eventually be exposed. If we feed hateful thoughts, it will be demonstrated eventually by our words or our actions. And the fact is, I don’t think anyone can truly examine themselves and believe that they think 100% loving thoughts about every one they encounter at all times. I’m as guilty as anyone.
I’m not saying that means we should be accepting of Imus’, Richards’, or Gibson’s comments. What I am saying is that it is an opportunity to really examine ourselves to see if our hearts are hateful. If we only work in our lives on the things that people can see, and not things like our character, we our fooling ourselves into believing that people won’t ultimately be able to see that as well.
Anyway, Just had me thinking.
