It represented a malignant hatred that consumes the hater as well as the hated. It has a life of its own, and it cannot be tolerated. If it is tolerated, it grows and spreads. That s one reason I support hate-crimes legislation. Those who say there is nothing special or different about hate crimes compared to crimes motivated by larcenous intent or carelessness or whatever are not really opening their hearts to the truth.
Hatred always has the potential to threaten peace and security in any society.
Whenever it is manifested, it deserves a forceful response. In the aftermath of the slaying, many argued that antigay preachers on the religious right for instance, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, who reach millions in their television ministries contribute to an environment in which violence is allowed to thrive. Tolerance of intolerance is a violation of the commandment to love thy neighbor. I was particularly horrified by the twisted soul who carried the hateful signs in view of Matthew Shepard s family across the street from the memorial service. It was breathtakingly cruel and a clear demonstration of how malignant evil can be.