Conclusion of: WILL HATE EVER END? - An Epidemic of Hate

Other forms of hate are more insidious, hidden within the borders of a country or even within the limits of a neighborhood.  When five skinheads murdered an elderly Sikh in Canada, this event "highlighted what some see as a resurgence of hate crimes in a country often praised for  its racial tolerance."  In Germany, after declining steadily in previous years, racist attacks by extremists surged by 27 percent in 1997.  It is a discouraging development," remarked Interior Minister Manfred Kanther. 

In norther Albania a report revealed that more than 6,000 children have become virtual prisoners in their own homes for fear of being shot by enemies of their families. These children are victims of the vendetta tradition, "which has paralyzed life for thousands of families."  In the United States, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), "racial prejudice motivated more than half the 7,755 hate crimes committed in 1998 that were reported to the FBI."  Some of the motives for the rest of the hate crimes involved prejudice regarding religion, ethnic or national origin, and disabilities. 

Moreover, newspaper headlines each day point to an epidemic of xenophobia, which is directed primarily  against refugees, who now number more than 21 million people. Sad to say, the majority of those expressing hate toward foreigners are young people, egged on by irresponsible political figures and others looking for scapegoats. Less obvious signs of the same phenomenon include distrust, intolerance, and stereotyping of people who are different. 

What are some of the reasons for this epidemic of hate?  And what can be done to eradicate hatred?  The following article will deal with these questions.

Next time:The Only Way to Eradicate Hate

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000