If you follow me on social media, you know I revisit the concept of love regularly. Even at the top of this blog, my logo reads, “Love up, love down, love in, love out.” Love is the answer for most of what ails us individually, relationally, and societally. However, it is also true that I can be vocal about issues I am passionate about. Typically, conversations around these issues lead to fruitful dialog, but at other times, people can become upset.
A few times, friends have commented that, on the one hand, I proclaim a message of “love everybody,” but on the other hand, I can be critical, which they see as hypocritical or at least inconsistent with love. I awoke at 4:45 this morning thinking about this objection (doesn’t everyone wake up in the wee hours of the morning thinking about things like this?). Is it unloving to voice criticisms? I don’t think so.
Here’s the thing: Love does not imply tolerance of injustice. It doesn’t mean pretending that all viewpoints are equally acceptable. It doesn’t mean overlooking evil. That’s indifference, not love. In my opinion, if someone is using dehumanizing language, the most loving thing to do is to call it out. This week, there were pictures of Nazi protestors waving flags with swastikas a block from the Holocaust Museum. To act as though this racist worldview is equal to all others is not loving. Suppose a politician uses divisive language and name-calling to describe his political opponents. In that case, pretending that his behavior is acceptable is not loving. Indeed, it seems that the most responsible, loving behavior is to speak out on behalf of those who may not have a voice.
Because I do value love, I speak out. I certainly don’t do it perfectly; I have sometimes felt convicted about my tone and have apologized or corrected what I’ve said. I always try to operate from the assumption that I could be wrong, but knowing that I could be wrong doesn’t imply that all views are equally correct and valid. I still believe dialog is beneficial; unfortunately, I have sometimes asked to talk with people whose opinions differ, and they tell me it isn’t worth it. And so I will continue writing about the importance of love and speaking out about those things that seem contrary to it. The voice and actions of real love- not tolerance, avoidance, or equivocating- promise the greatest hope of healing.
Jason Kanz 