Atheism

[bhsmte]

Is it bad Christian behaviour, or bad behaviour by Christians?


Seems like a theory to try and promote peace. The problem you are solving by doing this, is created by those who want to believe things that aren't true.

As far as Christianity goes, Jesus said "if the son will free you, then you will indeed be free". How then can a Christian presume to be able to free someone? I think this is proof of a problem that is caused by someone believing something that is not true.


These people are not your enemies, you are their enemy because you hate them! An enemy is someone who is against you. It doesn't mean you have to be against them.

Who exactly are you claiming that I hate?

 

[gord44]

Likely because, loving your enemies is a near impossibility to do from a normal human psychological standpoint and is not realistic.

The word enemy is also a bit much, but there are people we will come across we don't care much for in life and simply will not love. Can we tolerate and get along with them in a social way? Sure, and we do that all the time.

If one continues to work at it, it's not impossible. It's part of our sanctification to have 'sincere love'. 'Sincere love' is full appreciation of those who do not see eye to eye with you. Jesus illustrated it on the cross when he said 'Father forgive them.' (Luke 23:34). Stephen demonstrated it when he was being stoned and said 'Lord do not charge them with this sin.' (Acts 7:60).

It becomes easier to do when we think a bit less of ourselves. One with a high opinion of oneself it is nearly impossible. But when one has a broken and contrite spirit, it is not.

 

[bhsmte]

If one continues to work at it, it's not impossible. It's part of our sanctification to have 'sincere love'. 'Sincere love' is full appreciation of those who do not see eye to eye with you. Jesus illustrated it on the cross when he said 'Father forgive them.' (Luke 23:34). Stephen demonstrated it when he was being stoned and said 'Lord do not charge them with this sin.' (Acts 7:60).

It becomes easier to do when we think a bit less of ourselves. One with a high opinion of oneself it is nearly impossible. But when one has a broken and contrite spirit, it is not.

If love can be manufactured, out of command, it sort of loses it's meaning a bit, don't ya think?

 

[dlamberth]

Likely because, loving your enemies is a near impossibility to do from a normal human psychological standpoint and is not realistic.

Which means we have to first change our attitude towards our enemies.

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[dlamberth]

If love can be manufactured, out of command, it sort of loses it's meaning a bit, don't ya think?

But when love raises from one's heart, no meaning is lost.

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[bhsmte]

Which means we have to first change our attitude towards our enemies.

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What criteria do you use, to determine someone is your enemy?

 

[dlamberth]

What criteria do you use, to determine someone is your enemy?

For myself, I look at the kind of attachments I have to the type of thoughts I have about them.

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[LoAmmi]

For myself, I look at the kind of attachments I have to the type of thoughts I have about them.

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My enemies are those who desire to do me harm and have the means to do so. I would move to prevent them from carrying out their plans so that I am not harmed by them if I can help it.

 

[bhsmte]

For myself, I look at the kind of attachments I have to the type of thoughts I have about them.

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Could you explain further? Could you give an example of someone you would label as an enemy?

 

[light upon light]

Likely because, loving your enemies is a near impossibility to do from a normal human psychological standpoint and is not realistic.

Correct.

The solution is to not see any enemies in the first place:

"Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good. You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. " - Words of Abdu'l-Baha, quoted in Promulgation of Universal Peace

The word enemy is also a bit much, but there are people we will come across we don't care much for in life and simply will not love.

It all depends on our level of awareness.

If we truly see all things as from God who loves all humanity, we can indeed love all people.

 

[LoAmmi]

The solution is to not see any enemies in the first place

Unacceptable position. Those who wish to do you grave harm or even kill you are your enemies. They are not wishers of good and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. I'm sorry, but it's an unacceptable and dangerous position. I would move to stop them from doing me harm.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Unacceptable position. Those who wish to do you grave harm or even kill you are your enemies. They are not wishers of good and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. I'm sorry, but it's an unacceptable and dangerous position. I would move to stop them from doing me harm.

More often than not, that is *exactly* what your professed enemies think about you: "I'm just defending myself, he wants to harm me."

The whole miserable logic of war and conflict depends on our willingness to see others as a threat. It's a kind of self-fulfilling, self-perpetuating prophecy.

 

[dlamberth]

Could you explain further? Could you give an example of someone you would label as an enemy?

I have none. Through the years I've done a lot of work towards that end.

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[bhsmte]

I have none. Through the years I've done a lot of work towards that end.

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Good for you and I can say the same. I have had people I have encountered I didn't care much for, but I would not classify them as "enemies". There is a certain predetermined mindset, IMO, that would cause someone to freely target someone as an "enemy".

 

[light upon light]

Unacceptable position. Those who wish to do you grave harm or even kill you are your enemies. They are not wishers of good and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. I'm sorry, but it's an unacceptable and dangerous position. I would move to stop them from doing me harm.

I don't see copperheads as my enemy but I avoid stepping near them.

I don't see black bears as my enemy but I don't play with a momma's cubs.

I don't see violent people as my enemy but I don't go put myself at risk by exposing myself to their violence.

Some people are dangerous - but I do not hate them. I hope they learn to stop their unacceptable behavior - and society (obviously) has to protect itself from violence.

 

[light upon light]

The whole miserable logic of war and conflict depends on our willingness to see others as a threat. It's a kind of self-fulfilling, self-perpetuating prophecy.

Yes.

 

[gord44]

If love can be manufactured, out of command, it sort of loses it's meaning a bit, don't ya think?

No command needed. Hard to command love when being executed or stoned as my examples from the Bible mentioned.

In our everyday lives, commanded love is artificial and easily burned away when tested with fire. When one continues to be sanctified the dross in the gold is burned away and the love when tested with fire stands up better as it is truer then before.

 

[LoAmmi]

I don't see violent people as my enemy but I don't go put myself at risk by exposing myself to their violence.

And what of those would would actively seek you to enact their violence upon you? Should we consider them cuddly teddy bears that just need a hug?

 

[LoAmmi]

More often than not, that is *exactly* what your professed enemies think about you: "I'm just defending myself, he wants to harm me."

The whole miserable logic of war and conflict depends on our willingness to see others as a threat. It's a kind of self-fulfilling, self-perpetuating prophecy.

With all the history the human race has at committing genocide against others, I refuse outright the idea that my view that those who wish to do others grave harm need to be stopped as some sort of self-perpetuating prophecy. We cannot stand by and allow evils to be unchallenged or refuse to view those who do evil things as enemies of us all.

 

[dlamberth]

It all depends on our level of awareness.

If we truly see all things as from God who loves all humanity, we can indeed love all people.

If we're able to move from brain to heart, that goes a long way towards loving Humanity.

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