Are you capable of Loving Unconditionally????

[Bird123]

Let's give it the test. You have a son. You also have three grandchildren who are the joy of your life. One day, your son, tired of the expense of raising three kids, sets his house on fire and burns up his children, your grandchildren inside. What do you do with your son??


Some people say disown the kid and lock him away forever. Sure society is going to lock him in jail, but what about disowning your son?? Is it unconditional love to disown your son?? I think not!! Are you capable of loving unconditionally or will hate be inside you??


Personally, I would recognize my son had major problems. I would work endlessly on figuring out what caused this problem then do what it takes to solve it.


Don't people paint God in their own image?? Some say God disowns and places people in hell for much less evil than that man's son did. Does it really add up that God is this way?? Is it intelligent to be this way??


If God is Unconditional Love, He can't disown His children. He must solve the problem and love no matter what. Isn't the intelligent thing to do to solve the problem and keep the kid??


Are you capable of loving Unconditionally??

 

[linwood]

No, I am incapable of unconditional love.
I believe no one is capable of unconditional love.

The Abrahamic God loved his children so unconditionally he killed them all at least once.

I`m pretty sure God`s love is highly conditional, just read Leviticus it`s pretty much a list of God`s conditions.

 

[Orias]

What do you do with your son??

Since the closest thing I have to a son is my puppy Loki, my initial reaction would probably be to charge at him and attempt to disembowel him, unless of course I could reach myself before this innate anger reaches a killing point.

(Side note: I would never in no way ever harm anyone or anything unless it was for self defense or survival purposes or unless I was completely out of whack, which is improbable)

Some people say disown the kid and lock him away forever. Sure society is going to lock him in jail, but what about disowning your son?? Is it unconditional love to disown your son?? I think not!!

I think this part really relys on how much conditional love you had for him, once you see what he has done that part of "conditional love" is temporarily disabled since I would literally be shocked and stunned, probably unable to move at the acknowledgement of this horrific thing this son has done, and all that would remain is my fatherly instinct, but even then I couldn't give you a precise answer unless this happened to me, and man it would be horrible if it did.

Are you capable of loving unconditionally or will hate be inside you??

Well thats the thing about unconditional love, hate can still be prevalent, though it moreso turns into loathing.

Its something that could probably never be forgiven, and probably not completely understood, but the initiate of blood line compensates somewhere along the lines for the damage done.

But of course this is completely dependant upon the person.

Don't people paint God in their own image??

Very much so :yes:

Its kind of double speak saying, "God painted us in His image", thats like saying that we are "God" which I can essentially concur with

Some say God disowns and places people in hell for much less evil than that man's son did. Does it really add up that God is this way??

No it doesn't, this only adds up to people who like to control your wallet and what you think you know.

Is it intelligent to be this way??

Depends on if people discover the truth, until then, it skulks the shadows with a seemingly keen sense of intelligence.

If God is Unconditional Love, He can't disown His children. He must solve the problem and love no matter what. Isn't the intelligent thing to do to solve the problem and keep the kid??

Thats what I would attempt to do, but I would have no idea if it would even work.

I think I would take it a step furthur and try and prevent any situation like that from occuring, but as humans we only have so much direct influence over others.

Its the subtle things that get ya.

Are you capable of loving Unconditionally??

Yes, all carnal animals are.

But then again, I have a very profound view of love.

I'm glad you brought this topic up, I have much to learn and this gave me a lot to think about for when I have kids (which I plan on having soon).

Thanks, and best regards and Xeper,

Orias

 

[Riverwolf]

Not yet. I still have hatred for Hitler and the Nazis, as well as other similar groups and people, as well as nuclear weapons.

A parent continuing to love a murderous son is great, but that's not the fullest extent of unconditional love.

 

[Orias]

Not yet. I still have hatred for Hitler and the Nazis, as well as other similar groups and people, as well as nuclear weapons.

Hitler is understandable, but why the Nazis? Not all of the Nazis even chose to be Nazi's, they were forced too.

I understand the whole hatered for similar groups like ruthless gangs, and tribes and such, but a lot of that comes from people who don't know where else to turn.

I don't think its necessarily the group that should be hated, but the associations that the groups consider themselves part of, not all people have the luxury of picking a new hand of cards, and people just do the best they can to deal the cards they have.

 

[Riverwolf]

Hitler is understandable, but why the Nazis? Not all of the Nazis even chose to be Nazi's, they were forced too.

I understand the whole hatered for similar groups like ruthless gangs, and tribes and such, but a lot of that comes from people who don't know where else to turn.

I don't think its necessarily the group that should be hated, but the associations that the groups consider themselves part of, not all people have the luxury of picking a new hand of cards, and people just do the best they can to deal the cards they have.

I know. I do try to avoid any sort of hate, but it isn't always easy.

 

[Bird123]

No, I am incapable of unconditional love.
I believe no one is capable of unconditional love.

The Abrahamic God loved his children so unconditionally he killed them all at least once.

I`m pretty sure God`s love is highly conditional, just read Leviticus it`s pretty much a list of God`s conditions.

Perhaps you need to stop relying on mankind's description of God. God is Unconditional Love. I do believe it is possible for all of us to achieve it.

 

[idav]

It is possible that I'm capable but I doubt it would last very long for whatever the object of affection. Normally it is all very conditional I think. There may be some that are very much altruistic and it is possible to have those moments ourselves even though they are rare. Basically putting your life before someone elses I think should qualify.

 

[Acim]

Let's give it the test. You have a son. You also have three grandchildren who are the joy of your life. One day, your son, tired of the expense of raising three kids, sets his house on fire and burns up his children, your grandchildren inside. What do you do with your son??

Forgive him foremost.

Desire to communicate with him about actions taken, what he thinks ought to happen, what I am considering be done, come to (hopefully) an amicable agreement that equals responsibility.

Some people say disown the kid and lock him away forever. Sure society is going to lock him in jail, but what about disowning your son?? Is it unconditional love to disown your son?? I think not!! Are you capable of loving unconditionally or will hate be inside you??

Owning children is bizarre concept, IMO. Given the 'reality' of the hypothetical, I would very much hope I come to terms, as quickly as possible, with adage of 'what is done is done.' With this and forgiveness in mind, I would deem it insane (and ungodly) to condemn the son for actions taken. Admittedly, I might not come to terms with the action all that quickly. I would very much hope to.

Personally, I would recognize my son had major problems. I would work endlessly on figuring out what caused this problem then do what it takes to solve it.

Seems plausible to me. I think you'd do fine.

Don't people paint God in their own image?? Some say God disowns and places people in hell for much less evil than that man's son did. Does it really add up that God is this way?? Is it intelligent to be this way??

Hell does not exist. It is imagined. Hell can, rather easily, be found on earth. Have to deny spiritual sight first. It does not add up that Creator God is stuck inside the illusion of separation from God. God is not the dreamer, but the Awakener (in my understanding).

If God is Unconditional Love, He can't disown His children. He must solve the problem and love no matter what. Isn't the intelligent thing to do to solve the problem and keep the kid??

Absolutely.
Helps, big time, if one understands - there is no death.

Are you capable of loving Unconditionally??

Yes.

 

[magalaan]

Let's give it the test. You have a son. You also have three grandchildren who are the joy of your life. One day, your son, tired of the expense of raising three kids, sets his house on fire and burns up his children, your grandchildren inside. What do you do with your son??


Some people say disown the kid and lock him away forever. Sure society is going to lock him in jail, but what about disowning your son?? Is it unconditional love to disown your son?? I think not!! Are you capable of loving unconditionally or will hate be inside you??


Personally, I would recognize my son had major problems. I would work endlessly on figuring out what caused this problem then do what it takes to solve it.


Don't people paint God in their own image?? Some say God disowns and places people in hell for much less evil than that man's son did. Does it really add up that God is this way?? Is it intelligent to be this way??


If God is Unconditional Love, He can't disown His children. He must solve the problem and love no matter what. Isn't the intelligent thing to do to solve the problem and keep the kid??


Are you capable of loving Unconditionally??

I would turn it around: If love is conditional, it is not true love.

It think true love does not imply that you will go on nurturing after nurturing has so completely failed. In Christianity there is a strong emphasis to save people from themselves. Christians believe this can be done. So for a Christian this may be seen as an act of faith and I respect that. And I can understand that from this principle of hope and mercy the church gave pedophile priests break after break after they had abused children.

Personally I have a different view, I think true love is ultimately accepting all beings as they are, and not as you want them to be.

Accept the caterpillar as a caterpillar and the butterfly as butterfly. The greedy caterpillar will one day surely become a beautiful butterfly, but it will do this in its own time. And as long as it is a caterpillar we should treat it as the caterpillar it is, and not as the butterfly it potentially is.

But accepting a being according to its character, also means treating it accordingly. When people do horrible things they need punishment more then unwavering love. It makes it easier for them to change their ways. Often when a loving parent breaks with a child this is what awakens him and makes him change his ways. If even my loving mother breaks the contact I must be really on the wrong track. (Of course it is different when you failed to give a child love, than showing love, even overdue, may do some good).

True love towards a being is not for its behavior, its person or its character, but for its deepest unchanging Divine nature. That is why this love is unconditional. To reject a bad person, a bad character, bad behavior is in line with true love. Because what you reject is separate from what you continue to love.

 

[Bird123]

There's a distinct difference between loving someone and letting them get away with murder.

When we love unconditionally, aren't we supposed to give people what they really need rather than what they want. If we let someone go after murder without fixing the problem, it could never be considered love.

 

[Bird123]

It is possible that I'm capable but I doubt it would last very long for whatever the object of affection. Normally it is all very conditional I think. There may be some that are very much altruistic and it is possible to have those moments ourselves even though they are rare. Basically putting your life before someone elses I think should qualify.

I agree that unconditional love is a choice that does take a bit of work to accomplish sometimes. I do think it is possible for everyone.

 

[Storm]

The problem with such wild hypotheticals is that we're not capable of answering them truthfully.

 

[Bird123]

I would turn it around: If love is conditional, it is not true love.

It think true love does not imply that you will go on nurturing after nurturing has so completely failed. In Christianity there is a strong emphasis to save people from themselves. Christians believe this can be done. So for a Christian this may be seen as an act of faith and I respect that. And I can understand that from this principle of hope and mercy the church gave pedophile priests break after break after they had abused children.

Personally I have a different view, I think true love is ultimately accepting all beings as they are, and not as you want them to be.

Accept the caterpillar as a caterpillar and the butterfly as butterfly. The greedy caterpillar will one day surely become a beautiful butterfly, but it will do this in its own time. And as long as it is a caterpillar we should treat it as the caterpillar it is, and not as the butterfly it potentially is.

But accepting a being according to its character, also means treating it accordingly. When people do horrible things they need punishment more then unwavering love. It makes it easier for them to change their ways. Often when a loving parent breaks with a child this is what awakens him and makes him change his ways. If even my loving mother breaks the contact I must be really on the wrong track. (Of course it is different when you failed to give a child love, than showing love, even overdue, may do some good).

True love towards a being is not for its behavior, its person or its character, but for its deepest unchanging Divine nature. That is why this love is unconditional. To reject a bad person, a bad character, bad behavior is in line with true love. Because what you reject is separate from what you continue to love.

Life is about learning and growing as people. We learn through the parameters of our lives and the people we meet. If we merely accept people as they are, we neglect our duty to interact, share our views, creating that learning process. This can be done with unconditional love. One must never allow hate of any kind in one's heart. Sometimes hate is there and we don't recognize it. Other people come in handy to point things out. I have to agree if love has conditions that it isn't true love. There are many degrees of love. People define it in many ways. The problem with the priests had more to do with money and saving face than justice and doing what it right. It's not always easy doing what is right, however God will lead us to the right path to show us the way. So many times that takes adversity and interaction with others.

 

[Bird123]

The problem with such wild hypotheticals is that we're not capable of answering them truthfully.

I think some people are capable. Of course, when one is actually living it is when the true test appears.

 

[Storm]

I think some people are capable. Of course, when one is actually living it is when the true test appears.

Precisely. You can't know how you'll react to that kind of thing until you've been there. May none of us ever be in a position to be honest.

 

[ellenjanuary]

Let's give it the test. You have a son. You also have three grandchildren who are the joy of your life. One day, your son, tired of the expense of raising three kids, sets his house on fire and burns up his children, your grandchildren inside. What do you do with your son??


Some people say disown the kid and lock him away forever. Sure society is going to lock him in jail, but what about disowning your son?? Is it unconditional love to disown your son?? I think not!! Are you capable of loving unconditionally or will hate be inside you??


Personally, I would recognize my son had major problems. I would work endlessly on figuring out what caused this problem then do what it takes to solve it.


Don't people paint God in their own image?? Some say God disowns and places people in hell for much less evil than that man's son did. Does it really add up that God is this way?? Is it intelligent to be this way??


If God is Unconditional Love, He can't disown His children. He must solve the problem and love no matter what. Isn't the intelligent thing to do to solve the problem and keep the kid??


Are you capable of loving Unconditionally??

No testing necessary, I go whack if my walls display no Gwynnies, so I must conclude "unconditional love" is an ideal. Besides, I think you need a pulse...

 

[magalaan]

Life is about learning and growing as people. We learn through the parameters of our lives and the people we meet. If we merely accept people as they are, we neglect our duty to interact, share our views, creating that learning process. This can be done with unconditional love. One must never allow hate of any kind in one's heart. Sometimes hate is there and we don't recognize it. Other people come in handy to point things out. I have to agree if love has conditions that it isn't true love. There are many degrees of love. People define it in many ways. The problem with the priests had more to do with money and saving face than justice and doing what it right. It's not always easy doing what is right, however God will lead us to the right path to show us the way. So many times that takes adversity and interaction with others.

Accepting people as they are, but not accepting myself as I am. I think, that is were my focus should be. On myself. Putting the focus on others is a distraction.

As I see it, interaction does not need any effort, interaction is inevitable. If i improve myself, I improve my interaction as well. If I focus on improving others, I can easily elude myself in believing I improve myself.

In my opinion much of the saving of the world is done as an act of heroism to boost our own ego. It puts us in the spotlight, it acquires us admiration. Sainthood and martyrdom are not nearly as unselfish as people like to believe.

I think this total self-sacrifice for others, this strive for absolute perfection easily defeats itself. So we want unconditional love for the most foul murderers? Why? Maybe underlying is the wish to prove how great we are. The ego often does things to prove it can do them. It wants to show of.

In my opinion you can also spend that love on people that are more deserving, by improving yourself and be good to your environment. Yes I agree, it is far less spectacular, but it will have a greater result. But some want to break world records in unselfish love.

I regard Jesus as the ultimate hero, sacrificing himself for the whole of humanity. A blood sacrifice that became an example that many want to follow in their search for greatness. In Christianity I perceive a strong undercurrent of masochism as a result of that. I understand the idea and I respect it, but personally I prefer a more modest approach. Not so heroic, not such grand gestures, not so perfect, but more truly modest, subtle, more lovingly then the role of the hero.

I think sacrificing yourself for the unworthy because you want to make a point, defeats the logic. Logic taken to extremes turns into the opposite. I think there is more to be gained in the middle ground, than in the extremes.

I sometimes hear people say that it ruined their life but they stuck to their child and in the end it turned around. They congratulate themselves on their perseverance. But what I can not help wondering is if this would not have happened anyway. If it is raining and you wait long enough surely the sun is going to shine. Is it not the ego that wants to make us believe we make events happen?

 

[McBell]

If God is Unconditional Love, He can't disown His children.

So you are basically saying that "unconditional love" means letting the one you love unconditionally do whatever they want and never saying or doing anything that someone else might find negative?

 

[blackout]

Perhaps you need to stop relying on mankind's description of God. God is Unconditional Love. I do believe it is possible for all of us to achieve it.

All descriptions of 'God' are mankind's descriptions.
Including yours.