We all have a part to play
Thou Shalt Not Hate: The Role of Religious Actors in Addressing Hate Speech
by Emina Frljak
Hate speech could be described as a deeply rooted malady that humanity has suffered from since its very beginnings. Susan Benesch states that hate speech “is like a disease that afflicts only certain populations, it can cause some people to suffer greatly, while others remain unaware and unsympathetic. It gives rise to both psychological and physical harm.”
Many would say hate speech is just words…but words can hurt, and words can and do turn into action. From “harmless” hate speech, come hate crimes. There are sadly many examples of hate speech preceding some of the largest atrocities humanity has suffered – from the Holocaust through Rwanda in the 90s, to the persecution of Rohingya Muslims since 2012. Hateful rhetoric in leaflets, radio, television, online, and on social media have provided the basis for some of the world’s most horrific crimes.
So how can religious actors address hate speech? Below I seek to help to answer this question by focusing on two important issues – the intersection of religion and hate speech and practical recommendations for how religious actors can address hate speech.
Religion and Hate Speech
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Religion is a powerful force, carrying huge potential for both peace and conflict. The relationship between religion, peace, and conflict is never a binary one, never black and white. It is complex. Religion carries with it a strong sense of authority and the ability to inspire its followers. This creates numerous opportunities to catalyze peace, healthy human relationships, and an inclusive sense of community, but also opportunities to promote insular, us-vs-them perspectives, hate, and violence toward the ”other.”
In every religious tradition we can find verses and stories that discourage hatred and promote positive values such as kindness, love, helping each other, the need for compassionate language and compassionate speaking – for language and speech that doesn’t harm or humiliate. Here I will take a small leap and dive into some of those examples. These examples come from Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism and Baha’i respectively.
Speak only the speech that neither torments self nor does harm to others. That speech is truly well spoken. Speak only endearing speech, speech that is welcomed. Speech when it brings no evil to others is pleasant. (Sutta Nipata)
A good word is charity (sadaqah). (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. – Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians)
Austerity of speech consists in speaking truthfully and beneficially and in avoiding speech that offends. One should also recite the Vedas regularly (Bhagavad Gita)
My G‑d, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceitfully. (Concluding part of the Amidah)
Those words are acceptable, which, when spoken, bring honor. Harsh words bring only grief. Listen, O foolish and ignorant mind! Those who are pleasing to Him are good. What else is there to be said? (Guru Granth Sahib)
One should not utter displeasing words that arouse ill feelings in others. One should not indulge in speech conducive to the evil. (Mahavira, Dasavaikalika)
I praise well-thought, well-spoken, and well-done thoughts, words, and deeds. I embrace all good thoughts, good words, and good deeds; I reject all evil thoughts, evil words, and evil deeds. (Ohrmazd Yasht - Hymn to Ahura Mazda)
Good deeds leave no signs, good words leave no flaws. (Tao Te Ching)
A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding. (Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf)
I am aware that I have left out some traditions, but these examples should be a guiding point and direct us to dive into our respectful traditions, search and highlight examples like this, and most importantly, live by them and set positive examples ourselves.
Practical Recommendations
What does all this mean on a practical level? How can each of us address and help prevent hate speech? Here are a few suggestions:
Use faith inspired language – Use language that helps people understand and connect with their beliefs and how they encourage them to care for and respect the people around them. Once example is an Evangelical Church in Germany that created “10 Commandments” for thriving in a digitally changing world. Another example is from a German Protestant/Catholic initiative on digital civility named “11 Commandments” for digital civility.
Use interfaith approaches whenever possible – Collaborate with different religious communities in addressing hate speech and standing together against it. Come up with statements, charters, joint declarations, and actions together. Invoke empathy and compassion. We create the world we live in, and therefore we must collectively combat the fear from which hate rises.
Rely on scriptures and traditions, showcase examples of importance of positive speech – Within our ALTerHate campaign, which I was a part of, on the occasion of Interfaith Harmony Week, my colleagues and I created a #nohatespeechrule poster. We decided to explore various faith traditions and scriptures and find a basis for positive, non-offensive speech, speech that nurtures and strengthens communication between people and published a poster with verses from 11 different traditions.
Promote and organize interreligious meetings and encounters – Such meetings will help people to meet each other and speak to each other in a safe and brave space. These interactions help decrease existing prejudices and stereotypes and therefore hate speech as well.
Address hate speech in your sermons and lectures – Actively and openly speak about hate speech and its consequences. Use your tradition to provide examples of the importance of good, positive speech and behavior. Encourage respectful dialogue instead of debate and arguments.
Address hate speech within your own communities – If discover someone from your own faith community spreading hate speech, talk to the person and get an understanding of where their hate speech stems from, help address the fears or concerns at the root of their hateful messages, and help them see how their speech is harming others.
Show them compassion and understanding — Also don’t hesitate to condemn hatred and address it openly. Any kind of hate speech coming from members from our own community should be addressed, or we become silent accomplices. This is valid for all of us who are part of a community, not just religious leaders.
Use social media to spread your message – Social media is an important link in the chain of addressing hate speech. Create alternatives to hate speech, by showcasing examples of cooperation, interfaith dialogue, and encounters. You may use social media to condemn hateful messages and call people to address hate speech as well.
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When other faith communities are targeted, speak out – When other faith communities are targeted by hate speech, it is important that you speak out and create a response. It is a very powerful statement when faith communities stand with each other and give support.
In Conclusion
Hate speech is a serious issue that we are facing now more than ever before. The development of media and technology, globalization, and human migration have amplified occurrences of hate speech and violence. One would think our increasingly diverse societies and the numerous opportunities available to us to connect and get to know each other should lead to more understanding and less ignorance and hatred, but reality has proved differently. Therefore, it is up to each of us to use our voices, skills and influence in the spaces we live in to counter hate speech, design alternatives to it, and speak boldly about values we stand for, rather than just saying what we don’t stand for.
This article is an edited version of a piece originally published by United Religions Initiative. You can read the full article here.
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