Every Friday I’m going to ask a question. The questions I choose might be ambiguous on purpose. The goal is to have you answer the question according to your beliefs, where you’re at in life or a circumstance that might have recently impacted you. The only thing I ask is that you provide an explanation for why you answered the way you did.
It is my hope to understand you better through this and also to gain a greater understanding of humanity and how people make decisions.
And now for the question:
Which is worse, hatred or apathy?
Here's to hoping you have a celebratory Fourth of July! Let freedom ring!
*photos by flickr
Wow, tough question. Mostly my answer would depend on the context of a situation. But offhand, I'd say apathy is worse. Hatred is a human emotion, felt and expressed, and perhaps with reason. But apathy, not feeling and not expressing, seems somehow wrong, as well as enabling. By not taking a viewpoint, apathy can allow bad circumstances. I guess as a writer too, I prefer the expression of emotion, rather than an apathetic trait.
ReplyDeleteNow, on another note ... Have a grand Fourth!
Apathy. Apathy. Apathy.
ReplyDeleteHere are just a few things I HATE:
- Satan
- poverty/hunger
- AIDS and how it is reshaping an entire continent (Africa)
- wasted time
- temptation
What if, instead of hating these things, I was apathetic toward them? Apathy, in my opinion, is much, much, much more dangerous.
Holy cow, you're not asking about ice cream flavors here! Both are horrible, and ultimately have the ability to be very dangerous (evil, even?). I think of Hitler...he was not apathetic in his hatred. Evil. Still, how morally wrong is it to sit by and watch others suffer without stepping in? Equally so,perhaps. Whew, this is serious stuff.
ReplyDeleteI've thought of this before. A lot. And in my opinion, it's apathy ALL the way. I don't think there is anything worse than feeling NOTHING. Hatred at least a chance of turning into something else. Apathy, it seems, goes nowhere.
ReplyDeleteI think it's better to have some feeling, even if bad, because then you have something to work with--even if counseling is in order for it.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great holiday weekend.
Hatred is a hot, explosive, burning emotion. Apathy is cold, selfish, and dead.
ReplyDeleteApathy is worse. Hatred can turn to love in a split-second, but apathy lingers, worsens.
Thanks for more thought-provoking questions!
Have a fabulous fourth of July!
Just to add one more thing...because I seriously love this question.
ReplyDeleteI think Satan LOVES apathy. I think he uses it as his biggest weapon...especially (and this is sad to say) in America.
Difficult! I guess the only thing we should really hate is the devil and sin. "Hate" is overused and probably not accurate in most cases.
ReplyDeleteGreat question. I believe apathy is the worst thing you can feel, because there is no sense of feeling for another person. I think when one is apathetic, they tend to be turned inwards and see only themselves. Hatred can be used to motivate people to action, apathy is used to stop people from acting.
ReplyDeleteI would venture to guess that God feels hatred toward things (i.e. sin, devil, etc.) but he doesn't ever feel apathy. In fact he says in Revelation that he wishes we were either hot or cold, but doesn't like the lukewarm (which is similar to apathy!)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jody about the words of Revelation. Hatred is motivation which needs to be redirected. Apathy is a form of pride which says I'm too important to care. And since Jesus said we're either for Him or against Him, apathy is simply a less honest form of hatred.
ReplyDeleteI say apathy because apathy is a result of numbness and callousness. Hatred starts from some emotion and a sense of life and feeling. It indicates that you care about something, even if it might just be yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by my blog. I really like yours. You made me think.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Great question and I'd have to say apathy is worse...no feeling. Not caring is worse than no emotion at all. I'd like to see all the energy of hatred however directed for a greater good. Thank you for posing such a thought provoking question. I love your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteVery tough question. Both are dangerous and it really depends on the conscious of the person. Hatred, when not turned into action, is an emotion. Apathy, on the other hand, can be a condition of a person caused by some horrific event in their lives. In other words, having apathy isn't always the fault of the person. Overall, I think apathy can be far more dangerous than hatred. Still, so many variables to consider.
ReplyDeleteGreat questions! And so sorry I'm late this weekend!
~Shaye
I believe they both go hand in hand. Hard to put into words. Just going by how I feel. Blessings and good question. ♥
ReplyDeleteI know, I dropped one on you right around a holiday weekend! It was loaded, but I believe the question is valuable to ask. Your answers impressed me and I'll be honest, they surprised me. I expected more people to admit hatred was worse, so I learned from your thoughts/answers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating on these One Question Fridays...I plan to keep at it b/c I'm absorbing far too much from your answers to quit now.
Hope you were able to say, "Ohhh & Ahhh" as you watched the fireworks!
~ Wendy
Better late than never...I wanted to answer this but, was leaving town. I had a feeling answers would portray my thoughts and they did. I agree! Apathy is worse. My first thoughts were in line with at least hatred is an emotion that can be turned around whereas, apathy is dead emotion. Yet, Katie Ganshert captured my thoughts best! There is plenty of things I SHOULD hate. And how scary if I were apathetic regarding those things!
ReplyDelete