The Love Hoax

[1213]

This idea that I hear on occasion, that God is love.

Well no not really. The experience of "love" is really just a stimulus/response mechanism of the body. The stimulus being the 5 senses and the response being the chemicals released by the brain we crave. One of the main chemicals released being Oxytocin also called the "hugging drug".

Oxytocin gives us a feeling of calm and security. ...

In Bible love is something else. In it, when person loves, it means he cares without conditions. It is more like action and attitude than a feeling.

 

[Nakosis]

I see love is beyond the material senses, it is the light shines upon all things and can be felt by the senses. The senses are not the source and are limited in reflecting Love.

It it is the triggering of chemical highs one is after, then Love is not to be found.

Regards Tony

What is the feeling of love?

You feel something that you interpret as love. Feeling are caused by these chemicals. The interpretation is subjective but nothing magical.

Certain chemicals cause you to feel certain ways. "I feel love" is simply an interpretation of these chemicals.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

What is the feeling of love?

You feel something that you interpret as love. Feeling are caused by these chemicals. The interpretation is subjective but nothing magical.

Certain chemicals cause you to feel certain ways. "I feel love" is simply an interpretation of these chemicals.

Love inspires people to do many painful things, knowing there will be great pain.

Love is becoming selfless, not becoming more selfish.

That was the lesson of Jesus the Christ.

Regards Tony

 

[Nakosis]

In Bible love is something else. In it, when person loves, it means he cares without conditions. It is more like action and attitude than a feeling.

One acts in certain ways because doing so causes them to feel certain ways.

For example laughing, the physical process releases chemicals which makes you happy. If you force yourself to laugh even if you are feeling sad, you'll start to actually feel better, even happy.

Nothing changed except your actions caused a different set of chemicals to be released.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

One acts in certain ways because doing so causes them to feel certain ways.

So if you know Love will cause much pain and suffering, but it must be done, is it about the way we feel, or is it about choosing the right path?

Regards Tony

 

[Nakosis]

Love inspires people to do many painful things, knowing there will be great pain.

Love is becoming selfless, not becoming more selfish.

That was the lesson of Jesus the Christ.

Regards Tony

Ok, love is becoming selfless. What do you get out of it? Why become selfless?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Ok, love is becoming selfless. What do you get out of it? Why become selfless?

I see it is just the right thing to do for each other, it becomes its own reward no matter ones state of mind.

I see this is what we have been created for, to serve each other, build peace and unity and bring a balance to our world.

Regards Tony

 

[Nakosis]

So if you know Love will cause much pain and suffering, but it must be done, is it about the way we feel, or is it about choosing the right path?

Regards Tony

Well a lot of times we don't have a lot of control over the way we feel. It is often dependent on the actions of others.

The benefit of spirituality to me is the ability to have more control your self over your feelings. To limit how much the world can affect how you feel.

Knowing how to control your feelings regardless of the mechanics, allows you to choose your path. You can even limit pain and suffering. Personal beliefs can be beneficial in allowing us this control.

For me it's the more you know the more you can control. However, no reason for someone to stop what is working for them.

 

[Nakosis]

I see it is just the right thing to do for each other, it becomes its own reward no matter ones state of mind.

I see this is what we have been created for, to serve each other, build peace and unity and bring a balance to our world.

Regards Tony

Sure, how does that make you feel?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Sure, how does that make you feel?

My feelings are of no concern, if Love is the goal.

Regards Tony

 

[Nakosis]

What makes you think God is not in those things, mostly?
He's not only in churches or prayers

Not saying he is not, just God being there or not doesn't make a difference.

As some say a universe without God would look exactly the same as a universe with God.

 

[Nakosis]

My feelings are of no concern, if Love is the goal.

Regards Tony

Then why bother? Is it that someone else told you it is what you ought to be doing?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Then why bother? Is it that someone else told you it is what you ought to be doing?

That is for each person to decide.

Regards Tony

 

[Estella Atrum]

In this thread, it is claimed that religion is sought, specifically for the chemical highs it leads to. Can this not be said of most things? Relationships? Substances? Professions? Even taking on risky ventures?

Personally, I walk the path I do because it contributes to my overall growth. My path pushes me to challenge myself. I do not experience a sense of being hugged or being loved by means of this path.

 

[Salty Booger]

New This idea that I hear on occasion, that God is love.

I think that Life is a gift of Love, and it offers a lifetime of gifting. Without my human existence, I couldn't experience the spectrum of feelings that come with it.

 

[Nakosis]

That is for each person to decide.

Regards Tony

Sure that's why I'm asking you. Not that you have to answer if you don't want to, but if you want to.

Maybe your answer can change my mind. `

 

[Clara Tea]

A lot of people pray to angels, but very few hear responses. Angels hate to talk with humans because humans dwell on bodies.

An angel is only concerned with things that relate to the soul. So, the physiology of love has nothing to do with God's love. Rather, it physiological love is really lust. It is inbred into all life, making sex desirable, even if that means giving birth (a very painful, awkward, embarrassing, and time consuming process).

God obviously doesn't love humans. God made us with original sin, then condemns us to the brimstone fires of the bottomless pit of hell for all eternity for having sin. God ignores suffering and doesn't answer prayers.

 

[Nakosis]

In this thread, it is claimed that religion is sought, specifically for the chemical highs it leads to. Can this not be said of most things? Relationships? Substances? Professions? Even taking on risky ventures?

Certainly, as I tried to point out, we have many more venues this days to trigger the feelings we like.

Personally, I walk the path I do because it contributes to my overall growth. My path pushes me to challenge myself. I do not experience a sense of being hugged or being loved by means of this path.

But you experience some feelings do you not? Pride? There's a chemical for that. A feeling of belonging? Got you covered.

I need to look into it more, but so far feelings are what generally motivate our actions in life. I'm just saying religion is usually a method of creating positives feelings.

Feelings motivate us? I don't see were this wouldn't be the case but maybe someone will show me wrong.

Feelings are a result of chemical responses from the brain. Maybe some folks have a preference for negative feelings, I don't know.

But generally, I see a purpose behind religion being a creation of positive feelings.

The meanings we attach to our actions are likely justifications for going after the feelings we desire.

 

[Nakosis]

A lot of people pray to angels, but very few hear responses. Angels hate to talk with humans because humans dwell on bodies.

An angel is only concerned with things that relate to the soul. So, the physiology of love has nothing to do with God's love. Rather, it physiological love is really lust. It is inbred into all life, making sex desirable, even if that means giving birth (a very painful, awkward, embarrassing, and time consuming process).

God obviously doesn't love humans. God made us with original sin, then condemns us to the brimstone fires of the bottomless pit of hell for all eternity for having sin. God ignores suffering and doesn't answer prayers.

How does that make you feel?

 

[URAVIP2ME]

This idea that I hear on occasion, that God is love.
Well no not really. The experience of "love" is really just a stimulus/response mechanism of the body. The stimulus being the 5 senses and the response being the chemicals released by the brain we crave. One of the main chemicals released being Oxytocin also called the "hugging drug".
Oxytocin gives us a feeling of calm and security. Those seeking God are probably just looking for an extra helping of oxytocin.
Of course the release of chemicals is triggered naturally through physical contact. However, we've also learned how to manually trigger the release of this chemical, through prayer, meditation, religious rituals.
So "spirituality" is really a process of learning how to triggers the chemical response we crave without the external stimulus.
The draw of spirituality is the addiction we have to these chemicals which cause within us the positive feelings we desire.
I suspect long ago we had a limited means of causing these chemical responses we become addicted to. Religion was developed around what was found, largely by trial and error, to cause the brain to release these chemicals.
Today, there exists a lot more ways of triggering these chemical highs. Movies, music, art. Exotic foods, travel to pleasure vacations etc...
Not that spirituality doesn't remain a viable option, but there exists a lot less need for religion these days.

In the Greek language they had four (4) different words for love.
The Oxytocin type is more like the EROS type of love, sexual love.
Then there is PHILIA or brotherly love, warm love with affection or fondness for someone.
They also had STORGE which is family love, love of family.
Finally, there is AGAPE' love, or love based on principles. Emotion does Not have to be involved such as: Love (Agape) your enemies.