With the recent terrorist attacks in Paris & the multiple threats of similar attacks throughout Europe, I feel compelled to share a song which could not possibly be more relevant right now.  The song is entitled Who Taught You How to Hate? off of the new Disturbed album which debuted just a few months ago.  If you follow my blog regularly, you’ll get a chance to read about the entire album in the next few weeks, as it will definitely be on my annual best albums post.

If you’re not familiar with Disturbed, they are a heavy metal band based out of Chicago.  The lead singer & lyricist David Draiman is Jewish (although he is no longer religiously Jewish). 

This song is so powerful because the lyrics speak to everyone, regardless of race/ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, nationality, etc.  And that is exactly why I feel it is so timely right now.  I am not saying I am sympathetic to ISIS or the associated terrorists; of course not.  But I do think it would behoove us to remember that the people who become part of these types of radical groups were quite literally taught how to hate.  None of us, regardless of race, nationality, or religious affiliation, is born hating those who are different than us.  That mentality is a learned behavior.  (Which theoretically means it can be unlearned as well . . .)  Therefore it is imperative that we remember that any religion or philosophical belief can be taken to a fundamentalist/radical extreme that becomes dangerous, & thus we should be careful not to vilify an entire group based on the sins of a radical minority.

Please read the lyrics below & click here to listen to this truly powerful song.

 I hear the voices echoing around me
Angered eyes that don’t even know who I am
Looking to kill again (They will kill again)
As the unknown enemies surround me
Wicked laughter resonates inside my head
And I am filled with dread (And adrenaline)
What did I do? Why do I deserve this?
So we’re different,
why do I deserve to die now?
Give my a reason why?

Then it all goes a blur
Let instinct take flight
Find my hands on his throat
Yet hear myself say

Tell me now, who taught you how to hate?
Because it isn’t in your blood
Not a part of what you’re made
So let this be understood
Somebody taught you how to hate
When you live this way, you become
Dead to everyone

A father’s pride, my son walking beside me
I look around and marvel how the children play
In perfect disarray (So innocent)
No judgement, pure exhilaration
Black to white, the colors aren’t on their minds
Nothing predefined (All different)
There’s always one who plants an evil seed and
Preaches fear to pull you to the other side
Into a world of lies

Everything is unsure when you’ve lost your sight
Can there still be a cure?
What made you this way?

Tell me now, who taught you how to hate?
Because it isn’t in your blood
Not a part of what you’re made
So let this be understood
Somebody taught you how to hate
When you live this way, you become
Dead to everyone

(You’re not anyone)
Oh

Lost all innocence
Infected and arrogant
You burn all your life
(There’s no telling you)
No deliverance
Consumed by the pestilence
Of hate, you’re denied
Deep in your heart does it still remain?
Do you think you can bring it
Back to life again?
Is it still in your soul?
(No saving you)
Where’s the deviant
The unholy revenant
That has made you this way?
Made you fall for this hate

Tell me now, who taught you how to hate?
Because it isn’t in your blood
Not a part of what you’re made
So let this be understood
Somebody taught you how to hate
When you live this way, you become
(You become)

Tell me now, who taught you how to hate?
Because it isn’t in your blood
Not a part of what you’re made
So let this be understood
Somebody taught you how to hate
When you live this way, you become
(You become)
Dead to everyone
(You’re not anyone)

I’m not trying to answer any huge political or philosophical questions with this post.  But I feel like this song is just way too powerful not to share during this time of crisis throughout our world.

I’ll end this post with another powerful quote that I think we would also do well to remember at this point in time.

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche