What has been the effect of this? How does such coverage affect our young people as they grow up? How have we come to think about those who are different to us? It almost seems the George Orwell's vision in his book '1984' has come true; As a society we need to have an enemy to hate, regardless of whether or not they were once allies.
However, our attitudes and motivations need to be based on compassion for one another rather than revenge and contempt of our enemies. Evil cannot be faced with evil. We cannot repay an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. For if we hate those who hate us, we have simply become that which we most despise. Rather, God calls us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. The Bible teaches that peace is a way of life that seeks to build strong committed relationships based on compassion, mercy and love for all. It is not merely the absence of conflict. It is up to us all to decide what approach we will take with us through life. In a world full of hatred and fear, the choice for each of us is simple; either you will be part of the problem, or you can carry an attitude grounded in compassion, mercy and love that makes you part of the solution.