Why does a man hate another man?

Several months back, we at Pullman were challenged on the topic of prejudice. A description of the Museum of Tolerance (Los Angeles, CA) was given where the lobby depicts several aspects of intolerant behavior and the only way to enter the museum itself is through one of two doors - one challenges the visitor to admit they have a prejudice and the other allows the visitor to claim they carry no prejudices. The "unprejudiced" door is locked.

This is a challenge statement - carrying with it the belief that every person on this Earth, in one way, shape, or form, is prejudiced.

This weekend, my partner had the opportunity to spend several days immersed in a UU Youth program and was uplifted by the experience. The report was that she saw efforts to develop young men/women into adults who understand responsibility and where they fit in the world. For the first time in months, she had a renewed faith in the human race.

Then came worship.

She decided to not stay at the host church for their service, rather to drive most of the way home and celebrate with one of the other churches in our home cluster. What followed was one of the most disturbing events she has experienced since making the decision to join a UU congregation.

From the pulpit came 20 minutes of a hateful diatribe aimed at America's police officers. The "sermon" painted broad generalization as to how police officers "assault" citizens, and racially profile individuals. The individual who lead the service was obviously deeply engrossed in their hatred of a group of men and women - all the while speaking about how horrible it is that THEY held preconceived notions about the citizens they serve and are not deserving of the public trust. The allegations did not focus on individuals, rather placed all those who enforce the laws into the same caste of ruffian thugs who have little intelligence and delight in the opportunity to cause physical and emotional damage to the innocent.

The ethnic background of the speaker? European-American (the term "white" rather bothers me). The speakers social background? Upper, middle-class from the suburbs of Boston. The number of times the speaker has had any interaction with the police? None. Aside from the obvious ethnic background, the answers came from his own admissions during his "sermon."

At what point does this speaker choose to acknowledge his own prejudicial hatred of law enforcement? By what moral authority does he speak regarding the perversion of justice caused by hatred - or perhaps he speaks from first-hand knowledge.

John 8:7 provides a story wherein Jesus (aside from any divine aspects some give him, he did speak wisdom) says "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone...."

Is the face of law enforcement in this nation spotless? Not by a long shot. Those involved in law enforcement find the acts of a few to be a reason to hang their head in shame, if not directly deny their affiliation, regarding their occupation. But then, I am certain that RC priests, lawyers, and other professional groups also feel the sting of the actions of but a few.

Perhaps, before making strong allegations, we should ensure that our house is clean - prior to pointing out the dust mote in a neighbor's house.