If a belief (bigotry, homophobia, elitism, hatred) is internalized, doesn't it become part of a person's character?
I especially have trouble with sinners/bigots who teach this to others.
And I can't accept such a person, when they ACT on these harmful beliefs, and hurt others.
For example, I can't love my nephew, who stole over a hundred-thousand dollars from me and my family. I can't love my neighbor who disowned his own son, because the son is gay.
I love a lot of people, unconditionally; however, I can't love everyone. I can't forgive those who have hurt me and my loved ones--irreparably--and who do not ask for my forgiveness, or even accept any guilt. I am not required to "forgive" the thug who beat and strangled me, and used his Mormon higher-up connections to squirm free and go on to assault other women and children.
>>If a belief (bigotry, homophobia, elitism, hatred) is internalized, doesn't it become part of a person's character?.
Exactly. That's why it is so funny to me when preachers go around saying that. That they are not fooling anyone. They hate the people who don't agree with them so they label them "sinners" which is derogatory. Then they act like they are really about love (eye roll).
"Love muslims, hate islam". That is one I've often heard from liberals who want the freedom to criticize any ridiculously conservative creed, not only those whose members are white, western and middle class.
Personally, I prefer to keep it more universal, as in "love the religious but not their religion", without singling out any religion in particular (hindus and buddhists are homophobes too) and without the word "hate" which I deem too strong, too unforgiving, and too, well, biblical ;)