why all the hatred?

Within the past month four teenagers have ended their lives because they were senselessly bullied by their peers simply because they were gay. The most recent victim being Tyler Clementi, 18; California's Seth Walsh and Texas' Asher Brown, both 13, and Indiana's Billy Lucas, 15, also ended their lives because they mistreated for their sexuality.

It is sad that we live in a world where people harass other people because they are different. Just because others might not share the same values and beliefs, it doesn’t give others the right to put them down. It saddens my heart to know that these teenagers felt the need to end their lives because they were being bullied so much that they could no longer endure life. These four teens are just a few of many others who fall under the same unfortunate circumstances. How many have ended their lives because they were terrorized for who they were? How many more need to die for us to do something?

At the end of the day we are all the same, we are all just people trying to make the best of our lives and live life to the best of our ability. Just because someone is different it doesn’t mean that they are less human. We all have flaws and no one if perfect, no one even comes close. People shouldn’t be afraid to be who they are. They shouldn’t be susceptible to bullying because of who they are. They shouldn’t have to prematurely end their lives because they can no longer cope. Imagine if it were your brother, your sister, your friend, would you want them to lives their lives in fear? If they were gay, how would you feel if they were bullied every day? If they were bullied so much that the only way they felt they could cope was to end their lives.

Imagine if the roles were reversed. Imagine if you were the one who isn’t considered “normal” based on other people’s dictations. How would you feel in their position, to be bullied for being who you are?

We need to do something about this tragedy before even more lives end. If we don’t do anything then it’s never going to stop. We must take a stand and fight for those who are too afraid to fight. We need to realize that our words are as sharp as knives and thus they must be used with care. Think before you judge someone because they are different.

Do you want to live in a world where you hear about innocent people ending their lives due to bullying? Do you want to live in a world filled with hatred? If you want to live in a better world then do something to fight against the cruelty that so many people face every day of their lives.

Today I turned on the television and the news comes on and the first thing I see is a sign claiming that “God hates faggots” and shouts and jeers by grown men and women. They shout their words filled with hatred and interrupt something as sacred as a funeral. They have no remorse but instead sing songs of people going to burn in hell because they are gay.

I just felt anger and I was thoroughly upset. I despise how people use Gods name to condemn others. A name that should be associated with love and compassion is instead being used for hatred. It is a sad world when people hate others because of their sexuality, and even more so when they are adults who are supposed to be logical.

Instead of spreading words of hatred, why can’t we spread words of love?

I myself am a Christian. I grew up in a Christian household and have been going to church since I was born. I can say with confidence that God loves everyone whether they are gay or not. Some argue that being gay is a sin and thus they are hated by God, but all sins are equal in the eyes of God, thus if those who are gay are hated due to their sin, then so is everyone else because everyone has committed sins in their lives. In the bible, 1 John 4:20-21, it says that “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” So by hating those who are gay, they in turn, lose all credibility in their love for God and are disobeying his commandments and thus sinning.

Do something, before it is too late. Act now, before more people fall victims of suicide due to bullying.