Don't be a hater

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. (Matthew 7:1 NLT) 

 Have you listened to Hannah Montana's latest album? I know, me neither. Miley Cyrus is is way better. What about Justin Beiber? No? K$sha (or key dollar sign ha, as it is pronounced).

Sometimes it feels like no matter what band or singer you like or how talented someone is, there is always someone who will say they are lame or make up some story about how they failed. And people will criticize anything. Xbox vs. Playstation, iPhone vs. Android, Mac vs. PC, and what always amazes me is how much people hate the opposing point of view. I mean, I understand if you're a Playstation guy but does that mean Xbox has to suck?

One of my favorite bands is Band of Horses. The first time I heard them was on a long car ride home with my friend Troy. We were returning from a two day hike to Duffy Butte. Every time I hear a Band of Horses song I am reminded of how wonderfully tired I was after that day. I saw amazing things and had great discussions with friends. Maybe you will listen to Band of Horses and find them boring and lame.

Just because you don't like them doesn't mean you have to hate on them or criticize the person who likes them. That person might have a special memory that they think about when they hear a song or see a movie. Maybe the band or book or movie isn't the best in the world but it is special to them. When you hate on that thing you are making that person feel like their feelings don't matter.

When you like something and somebody else doesn't the conversation can be fun. Some of the best music, food, ideas, etc have been brought to me by friends. If I had criticized them I would have never been exposed to them. We can challenge each other's ideas and joke a little, but when it turns to hating on something it's not fun for anyone.

So before you hate on a band or on anything else, remember that somebody might have a story like mine. That song might mean something more. It's fine if you don't like it, just respect the other person and don't be a hater.