Reply #75: Yeah but. Even likeable people can be attacked! I agree,

[Colorado Blue]

having love in the heart is the best, the only way, to deflect hatred from within oneself. Hating in response to a rape, for example, is almost more poisonous than the rape. I speak from experience - an attack complicated by antisemitism in my case.

I found the ONLY way to deal with the situation, to keep sane and whole, was to embrace the principle of love. I will admit, I wore a cross, IDEALLY the symbol of such love, for a long time after that, as a reminder - even though it was Christians who attacked me.

Ironic, huh. But somehow the message in Jesus' words got through.

***

So - I ask again - how do you stop people from hating YOU?

Believe me, that can happen to the most loving, likeable, loveable person. And frequently, that attack is the result of a vicious set of principles, sometimes assisted by religious rhetoric and belief.

That's why I think religions, most of which espouse tolerance IN PRINCIPLE, need to extend tolerance IN FACT to everybody.

Women and gays and minority groups are frequently victimized, regardless of the cleanliness of their souls!