My Journey from Hatred to Understanding: A Reflection on Faith, Identity, and Symbols. By @greywarden100

Life has a way of challenging our deepest beliefs, forcing us to confront our prejudices and grow in ways we never expected. I’ve walked a long road, one that’s taken me from anger and division to a place of love, understanding, and purpose. Today, I want to share my story, not just to reflect on my past, but to offer insight into how I’ve come to see the world, faith, and even symbols differently.

A Past Marked by Resentment
I used to harbor deep resentment toward Christians, blaming them for historical wrongs done to my people. Back then, I had no patience for ignorance, and my anger blinded me to the possibility of connection or understanding. I was a collectivist, fiercely loyal to my group, believing that protecting "my own" was the only way to navigate a hostile world. But life has a way of humbling you, and I’ve learned the hard way that the world doesn’t operate on rigid group loyalties.

Years ago, I was fired from a job for simply doing what I was told. I was working security, stationed at a post with strict orders: no one gets through without identification. A man whose last name was Levine, an atheist Jew and the vice president of Goal Coast, approached without ID. The line was growing, and he was taking too long to produce it, so I asked him to step aside. When he finally showed his identification, he waved it in my face and said, “Here it is, now let me through.” I complied, but just 15 minutes later, my boss, the CEO of the company I worked for, called to say I was being replaced immediately. Levine had complained, calling me a “Jewish bum” and demanding my removal. He knew I was Jewish, and he knew I was just following orders. Yet, because I didn’t bend to his demands, I was fired.

That experience shook me. I was punished for doing my job, targeted by someone who shared my heritage but not my values. It made me reflect on what it truly means to be Jewish. As Romans 2:28–29 teaches, being Jewish isn’t about external markers like circumcision of the flesh; it’s about the circumcision of the heart. If your heart isn’t aligned with truth and righteousness, you’re not truly Jewish, no matter your lineage.

A Transformation Through Faith
Fast forward to today, and I’m in a very different place. I’ve made a 180, thank the Lord. My hatred for Christians is gone, replaced by love and gratitude. When I faced discrimination from a former employer of seven years for not complying with company measures based on my sincerely held religious beliefs against the COVID vaccine, it was Christians who stood by me. They’ve supported me as I sue that employer for violating my rights, proving themselves to be true brothers in faith. My former boss, a Baptist Christian, has become like family to me, showing me the power of compassion and solidarity across differences.

This journey has led me to a new calling: educating Christians about the Torah and the New Testament. Drawing on years of study, I’m committed to sharing the richness of these teachings, bridging gaps between faiths, and fostering understanding. The hatred that once defined me has been replaced by a desire to build connections and spread knowledge.

Rethinking Symbols and Ignorance
One topic that often stirs controversy is the meaning of symbols, particularly those tied to painful histories. Most Jewish people are quick to take offense at symbols like the swastika, seeing them as direct attacks on Jews. But this reaction often stems from ignorance. The swastika, with its arms bent to the right, has roots far older than its misuse in the 20th century. In ancient Germanic and Norse religion, it was a symbol associated with Odin, the god of war and death, which the National Socialists later waved proudly because Odin is their god. Our country is a country where the freedom of speech is a constitutional right and religion is protected. We clearly do not see it happening, but they should be able to wave the symbols they like and practice the religion they choose as long as they aren't being violant by calling out for the murder of racial groups in society and stuff like that. No one should be offended because of a symbol, especially one that predates the national socialist movement by a lot.

I’ve explored this idea in depth in a previous blog post, *The Shared Roots of National Socialism, Zionism, Marxism, and Fascism: A Deeper Look https://ecency.com/hive-120417/@greywarden100/the-shared-roots-of-national. Knowledge, not outrage, is the path to clarity.

Moving Forward with Purpose
My experiences of being wronged, overcoming hatred, and finding unexpected allies have taught me that life is about growth and connection. I no longer see the world through the lens of “us vs. them.” Instead, I strive to live by the principle that true identity, whether Jewish, Christian, or otherwise comes from the heart. I’m grateful for the Christians who’ve stood by me, for the lessons I’ve learned, and for the opportunity to share what I’ve studied with others.

If you’re reading this and facing your own struggles, whether it’s deplatforming, discrimination, or just wrestling with your beliefs, know that you’re not alone. Reach out, keep learning, and don’t let the world’s divisions define you. Together, we can build a future rooted in understanding and faith.

References:

• The Holy Bible, Romans 2:28–29.
• @greywarden100, The Shared Roots of National Socialism, Zionism, Marxism, and Fascism: A Deeper Look, Ecency, 2024.

Posted by @greywarden100