Is it hateful to feel satisfaction when bad things happen to evildoers?

[DeoJuventute]

I read, with the Church throughout the week, the many imprecatory Psalms that pray for the downfall of evil people. But I also read Jesus’ commandments to love and pray for our enemies.

So when does a desire for justice become a sin of hatred? Specifically, I’m asking because I recently heard a story that a certain group of homosexuals has an increased rate of AIDS. I didn’t feel sad, and I didn’t feel celebratory. I don’t necessarily sit around hoping for an AIDS outbreak in the gay community, but I don’t feel bad about it when it happens, either. I rather feel a sense of satisfaction. My reaction was something like, well, that’s what they get. Or I heard of women who died during abortion and likewise thought, well, that’s a bit of justice for them. That’s sad (for them), but they probably deserve that death for causing the death of others.

To be sure, I do pray for my enemies daily. But when I hear of really awful things happening to them, I feel sort of satisfied because I feel like they’ve gotten justice. I realize that this attitude is not truly charitable and that it is not Christ-like. But I’m wondering if it is actual hatred, which would be a grave sin if, as the Cathechism puts it, you’re deliberately wishing for grave harm to come to your neighbor.

What do you think?

 

[meltzerboy]

I read, with the Church throughout the week, the many imprecatory Psalms that pray for the downfall of evil people. But I also read Jesus’ commandments to love and pray for our enemies.

So when does a desire for justice become a sin of hatred? Specifically, I’m asking because I recently heard a story that a certain group of homosexuals has an increased rate of AIDS. I didn’t feel sad, and I didn’t feel celebratory. I don’t necessarily sit around hoping for an AIDS outbreak in the gay community, but I don’t feel bad about it when it happens, either. I rather feel a sense of satisfaction. My reaction was something like, well, that’s what they get. Or I heard of women who died during abortion and likewise thought, well, that’s a bit of justice for them. That’s sad (for them), but they probably deserve that death for causing the death of others.

To be sure, I do pray for my enemies daily. But when I hear of really awful things happening to them, I feel sort of satisfied because I feel like they’ve gotten justice. I realize that this attitude is not truly charitable and that it is not Christ-like. But I’m wondering if it is actual hatred, which would be a grave sin if, as the Cathechism puts it, you’re deliberately wishing for grave harm to come to your neighbor.

What do you think?

As you say, you’re not wishing harm, but, on the other hand, you also state you feel satisfied when certain people get what was coming to them. Without meaning to appear self-righteous or “holier than thou,” I do have a bit of a problem with the apparent smugness on your part, even if it is not celebratory. Misfortune, although seemingly deserving, is not something any of us should feel good about. Even if the feeling expressed is not hatred, it still may reveal a lack of sympathy and compassion. However, the fact you’re concerned about your reaction also shows you realize (as you state) it is uncharitable of you. Look, we’re all human, and I cannot in fact swear I’ve never had such feelings, though not necessarily regarding the situations you mention. The best thing we can do, I think, is try not to cultivate these uncharitable emotions, by recalling Jesus’ commandment to love our enemies, as well as the wisdom found in the Hebrew Bible, such as “Rejoice not when thine enemy falls.”

 

[midori]

I wouldn’t classify schadenfreude as hatred. Sometimes it’s hard to suppress a little glimmer of a smirk when you hear someone finally has to lie in the bed they’ve made. Uncharitable, yes. Human, yes. Hateful, no.

Now, if you actually wallowed in pleasure from their misfortune, or actively wished for harm to come to them… that would be extremely uncharitable, and probably cross the line into hateful territory.

It helps to remember that we each get measured with our own measure. But it’s also useful to see cause-and-effect in action in other people’s lives, and use that as a way to improve ourselves in a positive manner, rather than just using it as an opportunity for ugly thoughts.

 

[kimmielittle]

I wouldn’t classify schadenfreude as hatred. Sometimes it’s hard to suppress a little glimmer of a smirk when you hear someone finally has to lie in the bed they’ve made. Uncharitable, yes. Human, yes. Hateful, no.

Now, if you actually wallowed in pleasure from their misfortune, or actively wished for harm to come to them… that would be extremely uncharitable, and probably cross the line into hateful territory.

It helps to remember that we each get measured with our own measure. But it’s also useful to see cause-and-effect in action in other people’s lives, and use that as a way to improve ourselves in a positive manner, rather than just using it as an opportunity for ugly thoughts.

Well Said

 

[Newbie2]

Best, methinks, to be pleased that the Lord’s will has been done…only problem being that we don’t know if any particular downfall was intended by the Lord.

It’s OK, though, if those “bad things” that happen to the evildoers stop them from doing evil…that’s OK to be satisfied over.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

As there are no living perfect human beings on this earth, then it is entirely human to “rejoice” when bad things happen to evildoers. No, it is not “hateful” to feel such things. Of course, we should try to pray for their soul, but nothing requires us to pray that they have no trials and tribulations.

 

[Faithdancer]

I read, with the Church throughout the week, the many imprecatory Psalms that pray for the downfall of evil people. But I also read Jesus’ commandments to love and pray for our enemies.

So when does a desire for justice become a sin of hatred? Specifically, I’m asking because I recently heard a story that a certain group of homosexuals has an increased rate of AIDS. I didn’t feel sad, and I didn’t feel celebratory. I don’t necessarily sit around hoping for an AIDS outbreak in the gay community, but I don’t feel bad about it when it happens, either. I rather feel a sense of satisfaction. My reaction was something like, well, that’s what they get. Or I heard of women who died during abortion and likewise thought, well, that’s a bit of justice for them. That’s sad (for them), but they probably deserve that death for causing the death of others.

To be sure, I do pray for my enemies daily. But when I hompear of really awful things happening to them, I feel sort of satisfied because I feel like they’ve gotten justice. I realize that this attitude is not truly charitable and that it is not Christ-like. But I’m wondering if it is actual hatred, which would be a grave sin if, as the Cathechism puts it, you’re deliberately wishing for grave harm to come to your neighbor.

What do you think?

I also can’t say I’ve never harbored ill will, even bitterness toward someone I feel has wronged me. But in trying to be a better Christian, a better person, I’m also trying not to hang on to such thoughts now, when they do occur to me. I believe they hurt me, more than those who have offended me, anyway. And I think we can feel doubly compassionate for those who contract HIV from gay sex- first, because their sexual activity separates them from God and second, because they have contracted a horrible disease that may cause them great pain and suffering.

 

[Lui]

And I think we can feel doubly compassionate for those who contract HIV from gay sex- first, because their sexual activity separates them from God and second, because they have contracted a horrible disease that may cause them great pain and suffering.

I would feel very sorry for a gay person who gets HIV. I don’t get why sexual things like homosexuality or masturbation are often seen as the most evil things in the world.

I just watched a report on Mexico and how brutally people are killing each other, selling drugs etc.
In Norway there was a fanatic right wing Christian fundamentalist who just murdered about 80 teenagers 2 weeks ago. THAT is pure evil and I do feel less sad if a guy like that would get run over by a truck or gang members of Mexico get killed. There is child pornography, rape and prostitution and so many evil things people do in the world that I consider two guys having sex as one of the least concerns on my mind.
In other words: do I feel sad if a gay person contracts HIV: yes. Do I feel sad if a child rapist gets struck by lightning?: not really. I don’t applaud it either but I don’t feel too sorry.