Leaving Las Vegas

[RhetorTheo]

In the movie "Leaving Las Vegas," it shows a couple that have unconditional love. Sera accepts that Ben is an alcoholic, even buying him a flask that holds his poison. And Ben accepts that Sera is a prostitute, having sex with men for money and often being physically abused by those men. In the end, Ben dies from alcohol.

Is this the model for Christian love? Is it wrong to "love the sinner, hate the sin"?

 

[Miss Shelby]

Well Ben bit the dust in the end, when if someone would have slapped him in the face and put him in rehab, he may have lived, and happily at that. Additionally if someone could have shown Sera that she was valued for who she was a person, she could have pulled herself out of a self loathing lifestyle.

It was two very dysfunctional people who commiserated, misery loves company. In reality, two people like that are extremely bad for eachother.

Michelle

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

I don't think co dependent relationships are real good models of unconditional love...

 

[Carrye]

Is it wrong to "love the sinner, hate the sin"?

Not if you take the proper definition of love - to will, and do the good of the other. Imo, it's right in line with "remove the plank from your own eye before you try to remove the speck in your brother's eye." In each case, you're getting rid of that which prevents sight. First, your own, then your brother's. You are willing, and doing the good of the other.

If I will and do (action is an important component here) your good, I cannot, if it is in my power or realm of influence, allow you to destroy yourself. Sin is profoundly destructive.

If I love you, I wish all that God wishes for you - eternal life in heaven with him, fulfilling your purpose here on earth, and the happiness that can only come by meeting him in the holiest of Sacraments, the Divine Feast of his Body and Blood. O that we might all truly learn to love! It would transform souls, and in the process, transform the world.