Zero Tolerance

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Mark 12:31

Florida A & M University has finally adopted a zero-tolerance policy for hazing by any group on campus.  The latest group to try a hazing - an all-female Torque Dance Team, has been booted from campus amidst allegations of hazing involving alcohol.  This is the school that is still dealing with the aftermath of the death of a member of the school's famed marching band in November of 2011.  The young man felt that he had to subject himself to the hazing in order to keep the respect of the other band members.  After surviving one round of beatings, he was dragged back into the fray by force.  His death led to the arrest of 14 students - most of them facing felony hazing charges.

I have never understood the concept of hurting another human being in the name of "fun."  What is there in watching another person suffer that gives some people a rush?  What kind of person would get a kick out of beating a young man to death as he tries to walk down the aisle of a tour bus?  Where does such savagery come from?  What is its source in the human psyche? 

There are people on this earth that I do not like.  For whatever reason, they rub me the wrong way and I avoid them at all cost.  God does not require me to like them, but He does ask me to love them - and there is a big difference between the two.  Liking or not liking an individual is based on many different factors: their personality, actions, background and tastes, as well as my personality, actions, background and tastes. Loving an individual is based on one thing and one thing only: every person is a child of God and deserves my regard and respect on that basis alone.  Although I may not like you, I would not dream of raising a hand to harm you.  And certainly, I would never inflict pain on anyone for the sake of entertainment.