Once in a while I read something so backwards I wish I were dyslexic — if only to understand it better. An opinion article in Monday's Washington Post is one such piece. Written by a professor at Northeastern University, Suzanna Danuta Walters asks the question, "Why Can't We Hate Men?" As a feminist speaking to other feminists she admits that she's hated men for a long time and it rankled her when her more moderate sisters would say things like, "we don't hate men" and "men are not the problem, the system is." The article is an attempt to rally women toward a universal hatred of half the world's population.

There are a number of good answers to the question she raises. First of all, if men are the enemy of women then women should be praying for men, not hating them. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5.43-44). Of course these are the teachings of Jesus, a man, so his words might be suspect to a feminist. Jesus is, however, also the Son of God, so that should count for something.

The second reason is that hatred for another person is a sin. "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him" (1 John 3.15). Hatred of another person or group of people isn't empowering, it makes one a victim. Hatred doesn't inspire one to goodness or good deeds, it only leads one down a path of destruction - both personal and eternal. I know, John was also a man, but I'd argue that John was likely the kind of man most feminists would approve of. Non-violent, practicing only Jesus' teaching to "love one another" John lived to be a kind and gentlemanly old man.

The third reason not to hate men is because, in doing so, Professor Walters would be a hypocrite. She states that most of the sins that men have committed over thousands of years is shaped by racism. Hatred of someone based on their race is no different than hating someone because of their gender. In fact, this point belies the entire framework of her argument. Walters concludes her article with a call for women to be placed in charge of everything - government, corporations, and families. Yet women are no different than men when it comes to being corrupted by power. The real issue has nothing to do with gender. Many of the evils of history may have been committed by men not because of "toxic masculinity", but because of sin.

If Walters really wants women to be safer in this world, to have freedom to be all that they were created to be, then she should be writing articles that help resolve the problem of sin. In that regard, there is only one solution. Jesus is the savior of the world and the only person who can lead men and women to a right and peaceful life. Lest we become hypocrites ourselves, let's all start praying that the Professor releases her hatred and embraces the love of God.