Run in with a street preacher

[AdrianP]

The street preacher would be a good Catholic or Orthodox Priest, only if he would read the history.As a Priest , receiving Holy Spirit through ordination, beside the speech he might give people Holy Communion for eternal life and might be more powerful like angels receiving the gift of forgiving sins.

 

[dianaiad]

Foreknowledge does not negate free will.

Yeah, it does. Absolute foreknowledge does exactly that. Knowing what one WILL do absolutely precludes the possibility of changing minds or directions.

What you’re talking about is called pragmatism and we don’t base our evangelism on pragmatism, but on what the word of God says. If the word of God says that we’re to warn people about Hell and call them to repent, then it really doesn’t matter whether or not you think it “does us good”. God tells us to go, we go, He takes care of the rest.

…and of course you have no choice in how you preach the word of God, because, well…it’s not your job to actually bring people to the light, is it? It is simply your job to tell them they are going to hell?

Here’s the thing; there is NOTHING wrong with pragmatism, especially when dealing with something as vital as the eternal souls of those to whom you preach…and especially when being pragmatic is also being more truthful than preaching hellfire and brimstone.

It seems to me that people who are so concerned with pointing out the pitfalls that they forget to light the path–and ensure more falls than successful crossings.

First of all, you’re misquoting me. I never said anything about the frequency of which He spoke of Hell in relation to other topics. I simply said that Jesus (and, by extension, the rest of the Bible) spoke of it frequently.

Second, like I pointed out to you, frequency has nothing to do with it. We do not get our doctrine from how many times something is said, but what is said.

Actually, that’s a bit of a back pedal, I believe. You wrote the following: “First of all, Christ spoke about Hell quite frequently and very graphically. He made it very clear to sinners that if they did not repent, then their fate would be an eternity in a literal Hell.”

Therefore frequency–or the number of times He said something–means a great deal to you. As it happens, He used the word fifteen or so times, generally in describing what happens to people who are rude, (saying ‘thou fool’ will put you there) uncharitable. MOST of His instructions were shedding light on the path, not pointing out the pitfalls, though.

Go into a black neighborhood and throw the “N-word” around a couple of times and then explain to them, “Oh, but I didn’t mean you”. Let me know how that works out for you.

Well now. That’s a bit of an overreaction. True, “fundie” is rude, and indicates a fundamental disagreement on approach and/or doctrine, as well as a decision made against that approach and doctrine, but hey…

I despise political correctness, too. But that doesn’t give me an excuse to be rude to you.

You are quite correct. How are you in that area?

Actually, it isn’t a good alternative for a couple of reasons.

The first and most obvious is because that isn’t how God told us to do it.

The second is that my “living via example” will not make someone understand the Gospel.

If that is how we’re supposed to practice evangelism, then why don’t we see that in the Bible?

We do. “Come, follow me.” The Life most perfectly lived, Who may have said that he who is not with us is against us, but Who also said 'he who is not against us is with us."

Who said to the adulteress he had saved from stoning “neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.” Who healed the sick, caused the blind to see and raised the dead. Who said “suffer the little children to come unto me, for such is the kingdom of heaven.” Whose most famous sermon mentions hell…but mentions it for those who call each other 'fool." Whose clear and concise instructions were to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” and “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

“Judge not, lest ye be judged.”

“therefore by their fruits you shall know them.”

That entire sermon is about…being a good example.

 

[BernadetteM]

The only time I have had experiences with a street preacher was when I was in Hungary. This American was yelling about Jesus Christ and that you had to accept Him. He went on and on, the only problem was that it was at a time when very very few Hungarians spoke any English.

I really wondered what this man’s problem was. If you want to tell people about our Lord you would expect the people your preaching to would understand what your saying.

The last person I would really listen to about Faith is a street preacher. I have seen what I consider cult members out there, but ususally they were trying to get donations.

The Holy Spirit is Who I listen to. I believe the Holy Spirit speaks through our priests and Bishops and also other Christians. Many Catholics have been brought into the Church through protestant Christians first bringing them to Christ and then they start researching the history of Christianity and many convert to the True Faith.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[kcmekim]

Yeah, it does. Absolute foreknowledge does exactly that. Knowing what one WILL do absolutely precludes the possibility of changing minds or directions.

No it doesn’t. It just means that God already knows what you’re going to change your mind to do.

…and of course you have no choice in how you preach the word of God, because, well…it’s not your job to actually bring people to the light, is it? It is simply your job to tell them they are going to hell?

First of all, I have the choice to do anything that falls within scriptural guidelines. Second, yes, a part of preaching the Gospel is explaining that sinners deserve God’s wrath and that includes Hell.

Here’s the thing; there is NOTHING wrong with pragmatism, especially when dealing with something as vital as the eternal souls of those to whom you preach…and especially when being pragmatic is also being more truthful than preaching hellfire and brimstone.

Then you be pragmatic and we’ll stick to being obedient to the word of God.

It seems to me that people who are so concerned with pointing out the pitfalls that they forget to light the path–and ensure more falls than successful crossings.

Who says we forget to “light the path”? I believe that the Gospel is a light to the path.

You are quite correct. How are you in that area?

Well, I haven’t been rude to you.

We do. “Come, follow me.”

And therein lies the difference: You say “come follow me”. We say “You must be born again”.

“Judge not, lest ye be judged.”

“therefore by their fruits you shall know them.”

That entire sermon is about…being a good example.

Actually, it isn’t. It’s about showing discernment.

 

[Hopper]

Rudeness, whether it’s coming from the Protestant Evangelist or the Catholic apologist - is never going to persuade or change hearts to one’s position.

I suppose by my saying this would come off as “rude” as I’m correcting which - actually - yes, that’s what I’m doing as I’m reading down here from the various responses.

What good I see is the wish of the different parties to defend their faith.

kcmekim - I believe your heart is sincere and that you perhaps in your efforts have helped people to come to a belief in Jesus. That is good. I am of the opinion of BernadetteM who said:

Many Catholics have been brought into the Church through protestant Christians first bringing them to Christ and then they start researching the history of Christianity and many convert to the True Faith.

The problem with our dear Protestant brothers and sisters is they have no authority by which they can preach the word other than to say Scripture speaks for itself and the individual is led by the Holy Spirit. Then you get all these people who think they are led by the Holy Spirit thinking and teaching different things. How many Protestant denominations do we now have? What is it 33,000? All led by the Holy Spirit?

That’s the problem. Authority to teach in the name of Jesus. To whom were the keys given? Peter…and upon this rock I will build my Church.

Keep reading - someday you may be out evangelizing the Catholic position and may be a better Catholic than others who claim that denomination. Be filled with the love and mercy of the Lord and God bless you on your way.

Hopper

 

[kcmekim]

kcmekim - I believe your heart is sincere and that you perhaps in your efforts have helped people to come to a belief in Jesus. That is good. I am of the opinion of BernadetteM who said

And we have seen many Catholics leave the Catholic church as a result of the preaching of the Gospel.

The problem with our dear Protestant brothers and sisters is they have no authority by which they can preach the word

Our authority is that Christ commanded us to.

How many Protestant denominations do we now have? What is it 33,000?

Source, please.

Keep reading - someday you may be out evangelizing the Catholic position and may be a better Catholic

When Hell freezes over.

 

[AJTheMan]

I’ve never had a meeting with a street preacher.

I don’t see it as such a bad thing, really. Street preachers seem to really live out their faith in an extraordinary way. Not that other pious members of a faith are less than street preachers, it’s just that it takes a very unique person…and a unique faith to lead them into such a ministry. The man you met today seemed to have a real passion for his ministry. I respect that of him.

Like I said though, I’ve never actually had a run in with one. I’m going only off of experiences from what people have told me.

 

[Hopper]

QUOTE=kcmekim;5670843]And we have seen many Catholics leave the Catholic church as a result of the preaching of the Gospel.

I agree. There are many ignorant Catholics out there who do not know their faith - have never had an awakening to their faith and consequently are easy pickings when some enthusiastic preacher comes along with conviction. Many have left…but they do not know what they have left. My take on that is that at least they have come to an awareness of Christ our Savour…and coming to that perhaps someday they will realize the beauty of what they left and come back.

Sorry can’t actually give an exact figure to how many Protestant denominations there are. That was the figure I’ve heard on ETWN from former Protestants who converted to the Catholic church…but you only have to look in the directory of your phone book under churches to see there is a plentiful amount.

Would Jesus leave His church in such confusion? To let everyone decide what the Holy Spirit was telling them the scripture means as they read it?

Quote:
Keep reading - someday you may be out evangelizing the Catholic position and may be a better Catholic

When Hell freezes over.

Well lets hope not kcmekim…lol…and that’s a compassionate lol…not a sarcastic one…

I’m interested - would you care to give a brief outline of your own conversion story to Christ if it’s not too personal? You seem very impassioned to your position…and I bet it’s a beautiful story.

AJtheman said:

I’ve never had a meeting with a street preacher.

I don’t see it as such a bad thing, really. Street preachers seem to really live out their faith in an extraordinary way. Not that other pious members of a faith are less than street preachers, it’s just that it takes a very unique person…and a unique faith to lead them into such a ministry. The man you met today seemed to have a real passion for his ministry. I respect that of him.
Like I said though, I’ve never actually had a run in with one. I’m going only off of experiences from what people have told me.

You sound like a good man AJ…yes, I agree…a street preacher is most courageous.

God Bless, Hopper

 

[kcmekim]

I agree. There are many ignorant Catholics out there who do not know their faith - have never had an awakening to their faith and consequently are easy pickings when some enthusiastic preacher comes along with conviction. Many have left…but they do not know what they have left. My take on that is that at least they have come to an awareness of Christ our Savour…and coming to that perhaps someday they will realize the beauty of what they left and come back.

Right, because in typical Catholic arrogance, if a Protestant leaves Protestantism, it is only because God has miraculously called him “home to Rome”, but if a Catholic leaves Catholicism, it’s because he was ignorant and as such, was easy pickings for the big, bad Protestants who prey on poor little Catholics who aren’t well versed enough in Catholi theology to defend themselves from those evil Protestant spawns of Satan.

Sorry can’t actually give an exact figure to how many Protestant denominations there are.

Then give me a source for your claim that there are 30,000 denominations.

Would Jesus leave His church in such confusion? To let everyone decide what the Holy Spirit was telling them the scripture means as they read it?

Straw man.

Well lets hope not kcmekim…lol…and that’s a compassionate lol…not a sarcastic one…

No, it’s very sincere.

I’m interested - would you care to give a brief outline of your own conversion story to Christ if it’s not too personal? You seem very impassioned to your position…and I bet it’s a beautiful story.

No. I really don’t feel like giving my testimony for you to mock.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Let’s all just wish the best for each other and not even think badly of anyone for any reason, even if we all disagree on some things.

Let’s think the best of each other. Starting today.

I will start. Even though I did not care for/nor was convinced by the street preacher’s tactics or method, I still thought it was brave of him to do what he was doing.

Just as I think it is brave for people to simply live out their faith.

So, I hope we all can see something good about these things.

Even if we don’t agree.

 

[Hopper]

Quote:
I’m interested - would you care to give a brief outline of your own conversion story to Christ if it’s not too personal? You seem very impassioned to your position…and I bet it’s a beautiful story.

No. I really don’t feel like giving my testimony for you to mock.

Dear Kcmekim,

I’m sorry if you feel I was going to mock your testimony. I assure you I was not. Look in my own family I have a dear sister and brother in law who are Baptist. They are the most loving and sincere Christians and I love them dearly. They in their Christianity and thankfully do not think Catholics are going to hell just because they are Catholic. They may disagree with the teachings and such - but they do not judge us…

My own father was a Methodist. His father was a street preacher. My mother (who grew up Catholic) when she was young use to see this man out on a box preaching. She was very impressed with him. She never knew that, that man would one day be her father in law. I am happy to have him as my grand-father who I have never met.

My own father - after marrying my mother and a most holy and saintly Methodist man decided he would study church history. With that study - he was convinced of the truths of Catholicism…converted…and is why I am a Catholic Christian today.

But you know you can grow up in any denomination and because it is the faith of your parents you think that’s what you are - but then there comes a point where you as an individual - have to have an awakening where it becomes your own personal decision to follow Christ or not.

I had my awakening in the Catholic Church - and just as you say you would never become a Catholic and hell would have to freeze over before you do - no doubt because of what you have experienced - I too - with what I experienced with the Holy Spirit would never be anything other than a Catholic Christian.

Many different persons in whatever denomination do not come to that, and then suddenly they hear someone or listen to something that enlightens them to Christ - and the Holy Spirit touches their heart…and they think because the person who inspired me was of this or that denomination that’s what I must be.

There is objective Truth. That is what we must all seek. The Truth is the Truth is the Truth.

Look, it’s late here in New York and I must retire to bed. My happiness is that you love the Lord.

Good night, God bless, and see you tomorrow

Hopper

 

[BernadetteM]

Right, because in typical Catholic arrogance, if a Protestant leaves Protestantism, it is only because God has miraculously called him “home to Rome”, but if a Catholic leaves Catholicism, it’s because he was ignorant and as such, was easy pickings for the big, bad Protestants who prey on poor little Catholics who aren’t well versed enough in Catholi theology to defend themselves from those evil Protestant spawns of Satan.

Then give me a source for your claim that there are 30,000 denominations.

Straw man.

No, it’s very sincere.

No. I really don’t feel like giving my testimony for you to mock.

I don’t see that Hopper in anyway was rude to you. You must understand that your on a Catholic forum and the posters are stating their beliefs.

There are a few arrogant Catholics I am sure, but being on several protestant websites I have seen much more than arrogance from fundamntalists. I have seen such hatred for Catholics. It is very very rare that I have seen any Catholic have such hatred for other Christians. Yes they will state the Truth of the Catholic Faith, but most are very charitable. You might want to go to some of these protestant websites to see for yourself how Catholics and the Church are treated.

The posters were just exchanging their views versus yours.

I am not good at memorizing quotes but as much as I remember St. Francis said “Preach without speaking”. You questioned how actions would bring a person into Christ’s Church, well the Bible says by your fruits you will know them. If given an opportunity to witness to a person who you feel the Holy Spirit is drawing you to do, that is one thing, but to stand around a street either yelling or speaking loudly about the wrath of God doesn’t seem like the best way to bring someone to Christ. As our Lord said the most important thing is LOVE.

God Bless

Bernadette

 

[kcmekim]

I don’t see that Hopper in anyway was rude to you. You must understand that your on a Catholic forum and the posters are stating their beliefs.

What is it about Catholics that they can’t state their beliefs without being rude or attacking mine?

There are a few arrogant Catholics I am sure, but being on several protestant websites I have seen much more than arrogance from fundamntalists. I have seen such hatred for Catholics.

And have I shown hatred toward anyone?

I am not good at memorizing quotes but as much as I remember St. Francis said “Preach without speaking”.

Actually, that’s a very common misconception. Francis did not say that. To the contrary, he was a very prolific preacher of the Gospel.

You questioned how actions would bring a person into Christ’s Church, well the Bible says by your fruits you will know them.

That only refers to how we Christians are to know if a teacher is a false teacher, not how we are to evangelize.

to stand around a street either yelling or speaking loudly about the wrath of God doesn’t seem like the best way to bring someone to Christ.

So how are we to explain the Gospel to them without first explaining that they are under God’s wrath?

As our Lord said the most important thing is LOVE.

And yet, He did the very thing you just said we shouldn’t do.

 

[Hopper]

Dear kcmekim,

You are not listening - even when kindness is shown to you.

Hopper

 

[BernadetteM]

What is it about Catholics that they can’t state their beliefs without being rude or attacking mine?

And have I shown hatred toward anyone?

Calling Catholics arrogant is not Christlike is it?

Actually, that’s a very common misconception. Francis did not say that. To the contrary, he was a very prolific preacher of the Gospel.

Although he did preach the Gospel he also said to Preach the Gospel without words, that during his life I am sure there were times when he had different insights as to reach people.

That only refers to how we Christians are to know if a teacher is a false teacher, not how we are to evangelize.

I don’t agree with your premise about our fruits, I know many evangelicals who also believe that by their fruits they will be known as Christians, not about their teaching.

So how are we to explain the Gospel to them without first explaining that they are under God’s wrath?

If we come to God only through fear of Him and Hell, then I don’t believe at the judgement God will say enter. The Bible says we are to LOVE HIM. Fear to me, means we should reverence the Lord and know that He is God. But unless we love Him above all things how shall we enter into His Presence? I want my children to love me, not fear me. Yes I expect them to respect me and honor and obey me, but surely love is the most important part of being a parent. God the Father is our Parent, our Father, Jesus the Son our Savior and the Holy Spirit gives us the graces we need in this life.

And yet, He did the very thing you just said we shouldn’t do.

What was that?

Our Lords Blessings on you.

Bernadette

 

[dianaiad]

No it doesn’t. It just means that God already knows what you’re going to change your mind to do.

Then our choices and actions are predetermined. If anybody (or Anybody) knows what those choices will be, then it is also impossible for anyone to do anything ELSE. No chances.

First of all, I have the choice to do anything that falls within scriptural guidelines. Second, yes, a part of preaching the Gospel is explaining that sinners deserve God’s wrath and that includes Hell.

Then perhaps, if you have the ‘choice to do anything that falls within scriptural guidelines,’ a better choice would be to do that which works, not that which makes you feel superior to all the poor boobs you are consigning to eternal hellfire…who just might have listened to you had you been more inviting and less condemning? THAT is well within scriptural guidelines, too. “let your light so shine,” and "by their fruits ye shall know them’ and all that.

Then you be pragmatic and we’ll stick to being obedient to the word of God.

You can’t have this both ways; if you have the choice to do anything that falls within scriptural guidelines, then choosing to ‘light the path’ rather than point out the pitfalls is ALSO being ‘obedient to the word of God.’

Who says we forget to “light the path”? I believe that the Gospel is a light to the path.

I believe that the specific criticism here is of people who preach hellfire and brimstone as the method of choice. You are quite right that the Gospel is a light to the path. So…why not simply preach the gospel? You know, " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

You know, like that.

Well, I haven’t been rude to you.

No, you haven’t. That wasn’t what I was asking about, though…

And therein lies the difference: You say “come follow me”. We say “You must be born again”.

Pretty much the same thing. The criticism here is of those who say neither, but rather say “you are going to hell.”

This is the position you seem to be defending. I admit that I have personal experience with this sort of evangelism…a story I’ve told several times here; an episode of so over the top that if I thought for one second that he really did represent how Jesus wants us to preach the gospel, I would become a Buddhist. Or Wiccan. Something ELSE, anyway.

Actually, it isn’t. It’s about showing discernment.

Odd. There isn’t a single word in there that addresses discernment in these issues. I would be interested in how you exegete that.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

Does anyone engage in street preaching? I have seen videos of this, but never encountered a hard core street preacher as I did today.

I felt that he did a wonderful job getting people’s attention, but he was unable to keep mine that long.

He did not even have a bible with him, and was telling people God said this, God said that but he never gave chapter or verse, or anything.

He was nice to me to the point of raising my skeptic meter up a notch or two.

He was telling me how urgent it was for me to make a decision “for God” TODAY. He urged me to hear his testimony. I listened, and it sounded very emotional. But, after he finished he asked me what was stopping me from making a decision today. I told him a bit of my backround and how I am an agnostic but attending Mass, and have recently attended 3 protestant churches also.

Then he tells me he was an agnostic once also.

Um, he never mentioned that in his testimony at all.

I should give him the benefit of the doubt I tell myself. He goes on to tell me that I am making poor choices based on my lack of bible knowledge.

That is when I smiled, thanked him and promptly left the scene. As I was leaving he was shouting out loudly- they always leave because the sin is too sweet, and they can not leave their sins.



Is this the typical way street preachers work an area?

What would you call a bloke preaching out of the back of a boat? Calling out to a tax collector from a Sycamore tree? Making negative predictions about a temple while standing on the steps of the said temple? Preaching on a hillside? Giving a moral lecture while being a guest in a local leader’s house? Speaking to a loose woman at a well? Getting around with a bunch of prostitutes, losers and other second class citizens?

Street preaching is a valid art, BUT one needs to have the gift and the calling to do it. My old Protestant pastor could preach just as well as Billy Graham. But he was never given the gift of mass evangelism. In the same way, street preaching is a gift. And it needs to be done well. In the end it is God who convicts, not the speaker. And that is the mistake some of them make. They think its up to them.

Years ago we had a bloke who went around in the early hours of the morning in Sydney wrting the word “Eternity” on footpaths. People who saw it said the words seemed to loom up at them. When the 2000 millenium took place, that word was etched on Sydney Harbour Bridge in the form of fireworks. Yet he was an illiterate man, the son of a violent, drunken bum, and who himself had a criminal record. That single word on the footpath was his ministry - all that he could do. But he did it.

I’ve attached a link to the story.

wesleymission.org.au/publications/eternity/eternity.htm

 

[dianaiad]

What would you call a bloke preaching out of the back of a boat? Calling out to a tax collector from a Sycamore tree? Making negative predictions about a temple while standing on the steps of the said temple? Preaching on a hillside? Giving a moral lecture while being a guest in a local leader’s house? Speaking to a loose woman at a well? Getting around with a bunch of prostitutes, losers and other second class citizens?

Street preaching is a valid art, BUT one needs to have the gift and the calling to do it. My old Protestant pastor could preach just as well as Billy Graham. But he was never given the gift of mass evangelism. In the same way, street preaching is a gift. And it needs to be done well. In the end it is God who convicts, not the speaker. And that is the mistake some of them make. They think its up to them.

Years ago we had a bloke who went around in the early hours of the morning in Sydney wrting the word “Eternity” on footpaths. People who saw it said the words seemed to loom up at them. When the 2000 millenium took place, that word was etched on Sydney Harbour Bridge in the form of fireworks. Yet he was an illiterate man, the son of a violent, drunken bum, and who himself had a criminal record. That single word on the footpath was his ministry - all that he could do. But he did it.

I’ve attached a link to the story.

wesleymission.org.au/publications/eternity/eternity.htm

Actually, I think it was the tax collector in the tree, not the Lord…love the visual image, though.

But you are quite right. It takes a special gift to be a ‘street preacher,’.and I believe you exactly identified the problem of those whose preaching blocks the way rather than lights the path.

These are they who preach because the “Lord told them to” but without any love in their hearts for the people to whom they preach are like Jonah. He is my favorite prophet of the OT because of the lesson taught–though I’m not certain that he, himself, ever finally learned it: that’s love for his fellow man. Street preachers nowadays who scream of hellfire and damnation remind me very much of Jonah on the walls of Nineveh…doing it only because he had to, and secretly rejoicing in the suffering of the sinners inside; actually disappointed when they finally listen. I rather imagine that his preaching style was as colorful as his stubbornness was intransigent.

I noticed that Jesus had a temper; in the Temple, in conversation with the Pharisees…but I haven’t noticed anywhere in the NT where He addressed complete strangers with the 'you are going to hell" speech FIRST. First, He invites; always invites. In that sermon on the hill you reference, for instance, though He spoke of hell–notice who He says goes there? The people who are unkind to, or demean, others.

Thank you for the link, Stace may be the best street preacher who never spoke.

 

[survive]

I run into so few street preachers that the sight of them heartens me. It’s cool that there are Christians who aren’t too scared to speak out. But not everyone has the gift. A man standing mumbling from the Prophets with his head down and in a monotone on a corner where the crowd is sparse might not be likely to reach anyone. If he is taught to shout it out and hold his head high and get in the people’s faces, etc., he will be as obnoxious as anyone trying to be assertive about something he doesn’t have the talent to do. Have you ever watched a TV show and found one actor so grating it made your skin crawl even after the show was over? Usually, that’s the actor who didn’t want that part, didn’t understand the script or never wanted to act at all; it shows through no mater what techniques or motivational speeches are used. The thing is, street preaching is frightening to do, and it isn’t everyone’s gift, and it’s so tempting to walk away. It’s not for everyone.

 

[4EverHis]

And we have seen many Catholics leave the Catholic church as a result of the preaching of the Gospel.

then it is a false “Gospel”, which teaches that all we have to do to be saved is to say a little prayer.

the Catholic Church teaches the Gospel… Catholics don’t have to leave the Church in order to find Christ, that’s absurd I’m sorry

as for street preachers… I saw one once, near a mall, and he was shouting about how God hates sinners and is going to put them in hell… honestly I think it’s better to proclaim God’s mercy, talking about “God hating people” is not only false, but only pushes people away