Originally posted by whodeyWhat do you mean by 'love'?
Is this a philosophy for fools?
IMO Jesus used an exaggerated word to shake people up and get them to question their assumptions. He did not mean you love them to the extent of a trusted friend, or family member, or lover, or partner. He just meant that you keep a certain standard of kindness even around your enemies.
Go ahead, tell me why I'm wrong. 🙂
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemI disagree. Love is a feeling not a rule. Jesus to a large extent promoted the discarding of rules to be followed and instead focused on the emotional aspects of things and your knowledge of right and wrong as opposed to what the law says is right and wrong. Jesus strikes me as the kind of person who would and probably did, love his enemies in the true sense of the word.
He just meant that you keep a certain standard of kindness even around your enemies.)
There are Buddhists who practice felling love and I believe they too can love their enemies.
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemJesus gave the example of the Good Samaratan as an example of the type of love he is talking about.
What do you mean by 'love'?
IMO Jesus used an exaggerated word to shake people up and get them to question their assumptions. He did not mean you love them to the extent of a trusted friend, or family member, or lover, or partner. He just meant that you keep a certain standard of kindness even around your enemies.
Go ahead, tell me why I'm wrong. 🙂
In case some don't know, the Samaratan should have been the last person to help the Jew in question, because they were natural enemies at that time. Interestingly, the Samaratan was not even able to converse with the stanger. All he did was scoop him up and take him for some help and paid for that help.
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Originally posted by twhiteheadObama is an empty suit.
Whether it is or not, its not a philosophy you follow. You never show any love for Obama.
My intentions are to challenge a government that I feel is oppressive in many ways and increasingly becoming worse.
As in Jesus' day, the world leaders are the ones who hold the wealth and the power and oppress the poor.
Not much has changed except perhaps the demagoguery. Jesus was not very kind to them either. He called them out on a daily basis
Originally posted by whodeyDo you think Jesus would disapprove of the way the Obama administration has reduced the number of illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S., the way it has increased the number of illegal immigrants being deported from the U.S., and the way it is now planning to grant an amnesty for those who have lived and worked in the U.S. for many years?
Obama is an empty suit.
My intentions are to challenge a government that I feel is oppressive in many ways and increasingly becoming worse.
As in Jesus' day, the world leaders are the ones who hold the wealth and the power and oppress the poor.
Not much has changed except perhaps the demagoguery. Jesus was not very kind to them either. He called them out on a daily basis
Originally posted by whodeyOK, so that covers what Jesus means - but my question was, what do you mean by 'love your enemies'?
Jesus gave the example of the Good Samaratan as an example of the type of love he is talking about.
In case some don't know, the Samaratan should have been the last person to help the Jew in question, because they were natural enemies at that time. Interestingly, the Samaratan was not even able to converse with the stanger. All he did was scoop him up and take him for some help and paid for that help.
If it's the same thing as what Jesus means, then I can go along with that, and answer the question of the OP: The philosophy of loving one's enemy is not foolish. On the contrary, at times it is the humanitarian thing to do.
Originally posted by FMFWell that is a tough one.
Do you think Jesus would disapprove of the way the Obama administration has reduced the number of illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S., the way it has increased the number of illegal immigrants being deported from the U.S., and the way it is now planning to grant an amnesty for those who have lived and worked in the U.S. for many years?
The scripture says to honor the laws but the leaders don't mind the laws, so where does that leave us? 😕
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemYes, Jesus is who I had in mind.
OK, so that covers what [b]Jesus means - but my question was, what do you mean by 'love your enemies'?
If it's the same thing as what Jesus means, then I can go along with that, and answer the question of the OP: The philosophy of loving one's enemy is not foolish. On the contrary, at times it is the humanitarian thing to do.[/b]
So do you feel like those who love their enemies are taken advantage of?