I have a friend who doesn't like Dr. James Dobson very much, or so I gather from some comments she has made in passing. If she reads this (and I expect she will), she'll probably be shocked to find me writing this open letter to her, anonymously, like this -- apropos of nothing. But I think it's important.

Sometimes, the world works very hard to "squeeze us into its mould". One of the things it wants to make sure is that we hate and love all the "right" (e.g. wrong) people. Sometimes we are conditioned to love or hate things on an almost-subconscious level.

For me, one such person was Phyllis Schlafly. In the early 1980s, in the 8th or 9th grade, I was a big fan of Bloom County, an oh-so-cute and clever comic strip about a boy, his penguin, and asundry characters. Berke Breathed, the author, liked to take pot shots at conservatives including, and notably, one Phyllis Schlafly. Although I was totally ignorant about politics, and Phyllis in particular, I eventually found myself laughing along, thinking about how stupid and detestable this Phyllis Schlafly person was. I mean, her name even sounded bad.

One day, perhaps prompted by the Holy Spirit, I suddenly realized: "Wait a second! What do I even know about Phyllis Schlafly?" I realized I actually didn't know the first thing about her, and that I was finding myself hating someone about whom I knew nothing, or perhaps less. And I realized this came from Berke's comic strips. I think that was probably the first point where I clearly realized how I could be manipulated by media, and began to be more wary of such.

My case was easy: I was a kid, I was generally blissfully ignorant of politics, and I was getting all my information from one source. It was easy to spot. But as adults, we are influenced by many sources which, although apparently different on the surface, often share a common set of assumptions and prejudices, which can seep through and subtly shape our affections and perceptions.

Why do we dislike this person? Do we have any specific instances of things we know which he or she has done which were truly morally wrong? Was the person who influenced us trustworthy on other issues? Is it possible some of our assumptions could be mistaken?

One of the hallmarks of the devil's work (if I may use that metaphorically or literally, whichever suits you -- both apply) is hatred without reason, the mechanism by which Jesus was indicted. As even the [Jewish] Babylonian Talmud (Yoma 9b) records about that time:

Why was the first Sanctuary destroyed? Because of three [evil] things which prevailed there: idolatry, immorality, bloodshed....

But why was the second Sanctuary destroyed, seeing that in its time they were occupying themselves with Torah, [observance of] precepts, and the practice of charity? Because therein prevailed hatred without cause. That teaches you that groundless hatred is considered as of even gravity with the three sins of idolatry, immorality, and bloodshed together.

[More commentary here]

I believe this means both hatred without cause, or hatred based in irrational or untrue arguments. A huge part of my adult life has been discovering and rooting out all the lies and prejudices I have been fed previously. It's not easy work, and certainly isn't always enjoyable (it can lead to uncomfortable and unpopular stances) but it is important to love truth where-ever she takes us.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)