What Would [insert religious avatar's name] Do?

It's an election year. Thankfully we don't have any type of cable and are blissfully unexposed to the campaign commercials. However, it's still all over the news. I read the articles on it from time to time, depending on the headline. I will sometimes scroll down to see related headlines and my eyes will catch some of the comments. Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion, but what's with all of the hate? Today it really got me thinking about the way we choose to live.

Let's talk about the word "hate". It's a word that some parents tell their children not to say. It's said to be a strong word, a powerful word. As Yoda would say, "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." Do not underestimate the wisdom of little green Jedi. You may argue, whatever, it's a line from a movie, but it is far from just a quotable piece of dialogue. It rings with a deep inner truth, and you know what? Religious avatars like Jesus Christ and Buddha would agree with him.

Hate is an ugly word, and yes, it is very powerful. It's everywhere, spreading across the world like a disease, like a poisonous gas that slowly steals our breath away. It's in the news. It's in schools. It's in churches. It's in politics, it's in racism, it's in rioting, it's in personal relationships. It's all over religion. You may argue that most religions are "peaceful religions." Well, that could be true, if the actual original teachings were followed. Unfortunately, the original messages have been forgotten in the whole "My church is better than your church" or "You don't believe in the same things I do so everything you say is wrong" or the burning of books and religious buildings, wars fought in the name of religion, or protests at soldiers' funerals. So much hate is expressed "in Jesus's name." Do you really think Jesus would approve?

Jesus taught love. Jesus taught compassion. Buddha taught the same. Paganism's basic principles lie in love. I don't know much about Hinduism, but I can almost guarantee that it's a religion that values life and love. Your Creator gave you free will. Your Creator gave you the right to choose.

Why do so many people choose hate?

Here's a better question: Why would you choose to live your life in hate? What kind of a life is that? An angry life, bitter and short, full of high blood pressure, unnecessary stress, and possible heart attacks, divorces, estranged relationships, minimal joy, fear. Why would you wish that on anyone, especially yourself?

Hey, I know, we're all different people and we're going to disagree about politics and sports teams and stories with sparkly vampires. I'm a dirt worshiping tree hugger. I believe in renewable energy, sustainable living, and buying organic. I'm a dog person, I think the best show that was ever on television was Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I take my faith from multiple religions, and I read fantasy literature. I know plenty of people, relatives and friends and co-workers, who would completely disagree with everything I just said, but that doesn't mean I hate them. Hating is a waste of energy. Do you know where we should focus our energy instead? On love. Wouldn't living in love be a better choice than living in hate?

"In these bodies, we will live; in these bodies, we will die; where you invest your love, you invest your life. " - Mumford and Sons

Love is the highest emotion. Take a moment to think about the last time you were completely surrounded by love. Perhaps it was with your family at a holiday or on a trip. Perhaps it was cuddled up with your significant other. Perhaps it was petting your dog or cat. Wasn't it a nice feeling? You felt happy, peaceful, full of joy and hope. Imagine if you could feel that way all of the time. Then don't imagine it - do it. Be it, live it, breathe it, make it your intention and claim it. Live a life in love and be happier, healthier, better for it.

And then think about how wonderful this world would be if everyone learned to let go of hate and to live in love instead.