People Love To Hate

As I scrolled through Facebook this morning, I was amazed at some things I saw.  I follow a few different news organizations and (as bad as it probably sounds) I get caught up on most news articles via my Facebook timeline.  When you can have all of your favorite sources in one place updating often, why not just follow them and read things all in one click?  Anywho, I clicked on a few different articles to read, some actual news, some updates on my favorite television shows.  And I made the dreaded mistake of clicking on the comments for one.  Some of the things I read were so appalling that I decided to see if the pattern was consistent on other articles as well.  And sadly, it was.
It didn't matter what the article was about.  The general theme of the comments was as follows: a few "great article" comments, the first comment saying they didn't agree with the article, a comment bashing the author of the article, multiple comments arguing with first negative comment writer, a couple random nice comments, and then more bashing.  Some of the comments even escalated to cursing and text "yelling," i.e. all capital letters.  One of the most heated arguments?  Over a picture posted on the television show Grey's Anatomy's Facebook page because one random person said it was a spoiler to her, as she was multiple seasons behind.  Then ensued multiple comments telling her to stop complaining (in not so nice words) when it was her own fault she was behind, and the original commentor followed by cursing at everyone for making her feel bad for feeling behind.
When did we decide it was necessary to get into heated arguments with strangers on a social media site? (which was originally designed to connect college students, by the way.)  I am amazed by the gumption some people have.  I honestly felt embarrassed for us as humans as I read through the comments.  We have been given this wonderful freedom, especially as citizens of the United States, to speak freely and express our opinions.  Yet, to most people it seems, that also allows us the right to hate others for speaking their opinion. 
It is even sadder to me when I see fellow Christians participating in this hate speech to others.  John 13:34,35 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you at my disciples, if you have love for one another."  We ignore this verse too often.  I am by no means saying that I am perfect at loving those around me.  Sometimes it's really hard!  But there is no excuse for instigating hate behavior just because we have differing opinions.  You may not agree on what someone else thinks, but you are not being a true example of a Christian to someone if you are constantly "bashing" others.  If we are to share the gospel with others, then we need to do it not only by speaking Jesus' name, but by having his attitude in all circumstances.  Jesus loved sinners.  He appealed to them by being kind when others were not, and through that kindness, he was able to share the Good News of his Father. 
Matthew 22:37-39 also says, "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  We strive to love God with every breath, yet don't even speak a kind word to our neighbor when we cross paths.  We are to model our lives after Christ's, but in order to be Christlike, we must be willing to be kind to our neighbors.  I mean, is it really going to hurt if we actually say something nice to someone when our first reaction is to be mean?  This world could use a little bit of Christlike compassion, and more than a few kind words.  Speak a few today.