Addressing Truth and Hate

Let’s get straight to it. I believe that truth is a real thing. I think its source is beyond us, somewhere transcendent. Yes, I recognize that hate exists, and that can manifest in real, human ways. And, frankly, I believe that hatred is fundamentally wrong.

Moreover, I think we can advocate for truth without letting it morph into hate.

Historically, Western thought has leaned heavily on the idea of “correspondence” when it comes to truth. It’s pretty straightforward: when you assert something like “It’s raining,” it’s either true or false. You can just step outside and see for yourself. But, here’s the catch—you can’t observe everything by simply walking out your front door. What about the statement, “There is a God”? How would that one play out?

The core idea behind correspondence theory suggests that truth aligns with reality, regardless of our ability to verify it. So, even if we can’t see the Triune God using scientific methods, that doesn’t mean He isn’t real. The theory argues that this truth exists independently and is often beyond human comprehension. To deny this idea is to slip into a “post-truth” existence, and let’s face it—that’s where we often find ourselves today. We seem to dismiss objective truth and instead lean on our feelings as guides.

When emotions take over, any challenge to them can feel like a personal attack. We often mistake acceptance for affirmation of morals. If I can’t acknowledge something as true or valid, that gets interpreted as rejection. And it often leads to biases or even hatred.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, hatred is defined as a strong feeling of dislike or malice. When it’s directed at a person, it implies some pretty unpleasant intentions. That’s why hearing someone call another person “hateful” can feel so extreme—like yelling “Murder!” when someone simply disagrees with you. Yet, this kind of language often draws out genuine feelings of animosity from critics, making it easy to dismiss rather than engage thoughtfully.

What we should really be doing is reviving the concept of “admonishment.” The apostle Paul emphasized this idea well, especially when he said, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” Admonishment means to confront, challenge, or provoke thought.

I don’t hate someone just because I’m speaking my truth. In fact, it could be quite the opposite. The truth comes from a place of care and concern, wanting them to avoid pitfalls, even if it feels uncomfortable to express.

Take Penn Jillette, for example—the more outspoken half of Penn and Teller, known for his atheism. He once shared a video about the man who offered him a Bible. Did he begrudge it? Not at all.

I’ve often stated that I can’t respect someone who won’t share their beliefs. If you genuinely believe that there’s a heaven and hell, and that some might end up in hell without eternal life, how can you just stay quiet about it for fear of social awkwardness? What does that say about your feelings for those individuals?

There’s no denying that both Christians and non-Christians often express their views in unkind ways. That’s not only unacceptable but a bit heartbreaking. So, let’s clear something up: standing for the truth doesn’t have to be synonymous with hate. It can actually stem from a place of love.