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Approximately 25 years ago I was falsely accused of a serious crime. The charges were so outlandish that they were dropped before they even went to a Grand Jury. Yet the pain I bared during this difficult time left me with one emotion, hate. From the moment the false charges were brought till several months after they were dropped my mind was consumed with hate for this individual and how I would seek revenge. I suddenly realized that  this hate consumed me  and hurt my relationship with my family and friends. I decided to make a truce, I would hate what this individual did to me but would not hate this individual. Instead I actually felt sorry for him.  I felt sorry that this  grown man had acted in such despicable manner over something so trivial.  What a poor life he must have been living to act such a way.

This was a lesson that changed my life. Many of my friends who share similar or even opposing political views hate the leaders from the other side. I believe that hate makes it difficult for them to see how others might perceive a situation and therefore be unable to argue forcefully from their point of view. If instead we could see our political opponent as a good person, who just sees the world from a different perspective, we would have  a better chance to convince his/her supporters of the logic we carry. In return we might be able to change policy that effects us all.

It becomes more difficult to love those that have personally wronged us but still hate what they’ve done. It sometimes feels like we are acting in a bipolar way to this individual. Yet to truly hate such an individual not only causes them pain but ourselves and more importantly those that are caught in the middle.

I believe though that there are times when hate is not only important but necessary. If a solider is called into battle he must hate those he is fighting against but when the battle is ended he must some how put that hate in a box, till the next battle.  In fun we can hate the rival sports teams but of course not to the point where we wish permanent injury to those players.

Hate is therefore an emotion that must be utilized  only in extreme circumstances. Where one is defending  not only themselves, family, friends  but also in defense of the values they hold dear. This can occur with defending ones nation from attack or defending their place of worship from similar forces. Therefore hate should be used when all attempts of love have been defeated and only for that time it is needed.