Does Love Conquer All?

[McBell]

Self Immolation by a Buddhist monk out of protest:

Pain? What pain?

I was talking more along the lines of the bum in New York who was killed saving the kids from a bus running over them.
the fellow who was crushed saving the puppies from a car compactor.

 

[Reverend Rick]

VAN HALEN -- WHEN ITS LOVE Video

 

[Erebus]

Love can overcome many mental boundaries, but it isn't unique in this regard. Hate, greed, honour etc can be just as potent. Of course these emotions are pretty powerless in the face of things like death, disease and starvation.

 

[McBell]

VAN HALEN -- WHEN ITS LOVE Video

[youtube]6G3Exb1WN4U[/youtube]
YouTube - Whitesnake- Is This Love

 

[dust1n]

[youtube]0eu3WIXuzmo[/youtube]
YouTube - TINA TURNER What's Love Got To Do With It EXTENDED VERSION [1984]

 

[Sunstone]

Is love a miracle or are there rational reasons why it can apparently overcome so much?

 

[Azakel]

Is love a miracle or are there rational reasons why it can apparently overcome so much?

Maybe it's one of those Rational Miracles

And to add to what I said a while back:
It can also hurt. Conquering it might do, but hurt a lot too.

 

[Kathryn]

Can love overcome an age gap of, say, 30 years?

Can love overcome ingrained racial or ethic prejudice on the part of both partners?

Can love overcome a difference in deeply held religious beliefs between the partners?

Can love overcome a difference in deeply held political beliefs between the partners?

Can love overcome mutual hatred?

Can love overcome fear?

QUOTE]

Love cannot conquer fear.

I disagree. I believe that love consistently conquers fear. I think that fear plays a huge part in prejudice, in the worries about age differences, in religious and political differences of opinion - in basically all relationships fear manifests itself as the commitment level deepens.

Another example of love conquering fear is the decision to have children. Who's not nervous about THAT? But when you feel that little one kicking inside, or hold that newborn in your arms - love conquers fear.

If you said that love can overcome any of these things, can you think of anything besides love that works just as well or better to overcome any of these differences? If so, what is it?

Not sure if this works "just as well," but common sense goes a long way when it comes to dealing with any relationship. What I mean is that sometimes common sense has a more calming and stabilizing effect than "love" (which people often confuse with "passion"). Take, for instance, a relationship with a 30 year age gap. Sure, love can bridge that gap - but common sense can maintain that bridge. What I mean is that as the older partner ages, and the age disparity becomes more apparent, common sense grounded in love and respect would seem to dictate the approach and continuance of the relationship.

Is there anything love cannot, under any circumstances, overcome? If so, what is it?[/

I think that love can overcome any obstacle WITHIN OURSELVES. But our love cannot change the other person. In other words, we can only be responsible for our own actions, not the actions of others.

Love doesn't imply that we have to tolerate everything the other person does. Love changes our heart - not necessarily theirs.