From Hate to Love in The Fire of the Next Time by James Baldwin James Baldwin was a man of many insights. He believed in several ideas regarding the ?color line problem? (103). Baldwin, like many other thinkers of his time, knew that change was needed in this country, in particular Baldwin believed that a shift from hate to love was needed. The main change that Baldwin talks about in his biographical novel, The Fire Next Time, concerns religion and how it teaches hatred for others and love for those who believe. The importance according to Baldwin is the change from those beliefs taught by religion to a new acceptance of both the white and black races. Baldwin's vision for change stemmed from his intense religious beliefs. This particular change was a personal change for Baldwin himself. Baldwin was confused and mesmerized by the teachings of the religion. He enjoyed it so much and believed in ?blind faith? who began to preach. He wrote powerful sermons and was fascinated by his church and its beliefs. As he preached he began to question and examine the life he lived. He questioned himself, the ideas and beliefs he conveyed to his congregation, and the validity of other preachers. He realized that the church was also corrupt. He became very Socratic in his thinking; Baldwin began to realize that the truths he thought were true were not exactly what he thought they were. He realized that the Bible is full of discrepancies. Baldwin realized that the ?good book? he was discriminatory against whites, but told his followers to love everyone; on the contrary, when read in a white context it was discriminatory against blacks, who were thought to be the sons of Ham. He discovered this contradiction... middle of paper ......d with this notion solely because, The Nation of Islam was intent on seeking revenge on white people, for years and years of oppression and racism. This was yet another hateful notion that Baldwin could not agree with. James Baldwin's shift from hate to love was an idea that few could consciously grasp in an effort to remove "the problem of the color line." (103). Baldwin believed that love was the answer and that religion did not help make a difference. Christianity taught love, but not the love necessary to destroy the racial barrier; taught a racist love. Baldwin's complex views can be summed up quite simply in a quote from the text. “I love some people and they love me and some of them are white, and isn't love more important than color?” (71). Works Cited: Baldwin, James. Fire next time. New York, NY: Vintage Books Inc., 1962.