New York Times columnist Frank Bruni opined recently on why hate persists in America (“The persistence of hate,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 14). He gave two examples of total strangers who emailed him, trying to “help” him in the name of God because he was gay.

Bruni subtly implied that Christians categorized people into groups and that leads to hate. But Bruni categorizes Christians without understanding Jesus’ teaching. Jesus commanded Christians to love your neighbor (everyone) as yourself. And He did not force His opinions on others.

So Bruni’s “strangers,” assuming they were well-meaning, misrepresented Jesus if they did not speak in love to Bruni.

Most of us have been carefully taught from birth what to love and what to hate.

Hate often grows by dehumanizing adversaries who could be Christians, gays, Muslims, or even unborn babies slated for abortion.

Unfortunately, Bruni apparently brands as a hate group those who do not support same-sex marriage as he does.

Robert R. Taylor

Nuuanu

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