don’t be hatin’-

Well here I am on my new computer! On another note. . .

If you haven’t heard yet, the word on the street is that Michael Jackson died today at age 50. 25 years ago he released the best selling album of all time here it is.

Over the web and around the house i hear some people’s sadness for the musical icon. Sure his pop music is alright, but I honestly don’t care for it too much. Many more peeps, at least in my circle, seem to be rejoicing in MJ’s death. Society in general seems to hate the idea of hatred. Sure “tolerance” is important, though I think it’s better to not be bias (positively or negatively) for any reason. But that doesn’t stop hatred from happening. The other night I watched the movie Seven Pounds a nice movie about a man that feels that he should give up his wealth, power, body, and even life to help those he deems worthy. I find this strange though that he helps those that are “good” (as judged by him) rather than the “bad” ones. A few months ago a friend was saying she wanted such and such bad things to happen to some person that annoyed her and I asked how it is possible to desire harm and detain help from somebody that you hate. Sure Michael Jackson might be a child mollestor (I don’t care if the court didn’t think so) and Will Smith’s character had a decent reason for not aiding a corrupt man and my friend may have had decent reasons for wishing harm on somebody. . . but that doesn’t make any of it excusable.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Sound familiar? (Matthew 5:2-11). Looking at God’s words and example he didn’t destroy the evil, or we’re so screwed, but he purified instead. So should we wish harm on those that differ from us or do we endure instead? For me it is harder to tell somebody that I was wrong then it is to be wrong and know it. Although it might be easier to be, or at least have the conviction that you are right and have the other person continue to be wrong. Wouldn’t it ultimately be best for the other person to not continue living in thier incorrection but to convert to that which is right?

For example if you were talking to a child and they asked you what 2+2 is and you said it is “4″ and they said “nah-ah it’s 5″. You could just walk away with the excuse that you tried to tell them but they didn’t believe you. Or you could continue to state your argument (using much reasoning hopefully). Which is ultimately better? Sure you might waste some of your precious time and they may never fully understand but unchecked incorrection is more lamentable then loss of good. I would much rather a Christian die then and non-Christian because one has a mansion waiting the other still needs to hear the infite love of God.

I think this is why it really bothers me when I hear somebody say “damn you”. Sure people probably don’t know or at least think much about what it really means, but honestly you’re asking God to sever himself from them for eternity, what sort or demon in you would want that for somebody else?