As many of my readers know, “Hope not Hate” is an organization / campaign (see here and here) that has become influential in recent times, within its not altogether clear remit, for trying to do what it claims: “HOPE not hate exists to provide a positive antidote to the politics of hate. We combine first class research with community organising & grassroots actions to defeat hate groups at elections and to build community resilience against extremism. HOPE not hate seeks to challenge and defeat the politics of hate and extremism within local communities, building resilience against the politics of hate and fear, at a national and grassroots level”.

Realising some of my friends are supportive of the aspirations of HOPE not hate, e.g. those wanting to help the people affected by the refugee crisis unfolding in Syria and nearby countries, and this pretty much aligns to my own priorities, I have followed some of what HOPE not hate is doing, but with some reservations, as my earlier posts indicate (see here and here). Two stories on my today’s Facebook page, from HOPE not Hate got me thinking: “Far-right veteran Le Pen to field candidates against daughter’s party” and “Watch Hillary Clinton rip into Nigel Farage after he made a dig at her during a Trump rally” and wondering whether it should be focusing on humanitarian issues like the plight of those affected by the conflicts in the Middle East and trying to lead an effective response, although its latest stories: “Isis video appears to show children, including Briton, killing captives” and “Brave British mum is risking her life to rescue Islamic State sex slaves from Syria” helpfully brings to our attention things we need to know.

The one thing that more recently has turned me against HOPE not Hate, on top of its political preferences, e.g. pro Green and left wing and anti UKIP and right wing, where there are philosophical questions like what constitutes Hope and Hate, is that it supports aborting babies, right up to the time of birth, which I regard as HATE not Hope. While I see the importance of celebrating diversity, here too I have reservations. I recognize any organization has to be true to its values, but when those values differ from my own, I have to regrettably withdraw my support or only do so with caveats. I do believe, however, there are HOPE not Hate issues that need addressing and HOPE not Hate (the organization) has done good in the past dealing with these, and can still play an important part.