Atheist Neighbors: Can you explain the role love plays in your life?
956642
what makes you think love would be different for atheists ? oh yeah , atheists love things that are real .
614004
Do you have any evidence to support this theory or is it just wishful thinking? As an atheist I'm open to hearing about different interpretations of scripture, not buying into it wholesale. What is your support for this marriage and "vegan community life."\n\nAlso, what is your evidence for the "polechange?"
956452
There is real love. I have been attached to or dependent on  people that I didn't necessarily love. I have called these experiences love out of desperation, but I have also felt true love for others. I just haven't often had it returned. I've had people swear that they did love me, but it was more need than anything--you can tell who does and does not love you by refusing to be a door mat. The ones who remain love you.
837696
When I was a kid I went to church, and I really liked the sign on the wall that read, "God is Love." \n\nThen I started to read the Bible, and in shock and dismay I read about an angry, murderous, misogynist, spoiled brat of a deity who is in seeeerrrrious need of a time-out. Or a spanking, for preference.\n\nI could not reconcile the two in my head, and I decided that I really believe in Love over anything the Bible had to say. So, when the two clashed, the Bible lost. Later studies of the history of the Bible confirmed my hunch that it was a man-made document and not divine.\n\nOver the years, my study of religions made me start to think that people's religious experiences had some interesting things in common... and perhaps all the personification of deities are mere metaphors for something bigger even than 'God', and are well-meaning but misguided attempts to define something indefinable.\n\nSo THAT's what I really believe in... not a deity and most certainly not the Christian deity, but something more abstract.
1058865
AMEN. i feel exactly the same way. i dont understand how ppl that profess to love god can be so horrid to those who choose to live differently than they do. especially since jesus taught us to love our enemies, to always turn the other cheek, and that judging others was for god to do, not for us to do to each other. i wish you and your wiccan girlfriend the best of luck. its a shame more ppl dont think like you an i do about this subject.
850444
The main factor I am not seeing in your analysis is that God gave us all free will. God wants us to choose to love him. If we were forced to love God, would that be love at all? Free will factors in all aspects of life. Your positive and negative experiences that you attribute to god favoring you with blessing, or punishing you, could be the results of someone else imposing their free will upon you. This is why in the Bible we are told to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. As not to impose our free will upon them and effect them in a negative manner. It sounds like you are struggling with some very important spiritual dilemmas, I will pray for you and I wish you the best.
414712
Sounds cute, but its not true. Please understand what LOVE is. Its a condition of emotion, just like pain.  Its a reaction to a stimulous. Its fades, it comes..whatever. Doesn't mean you have to work for it...it happens. You walk down street and you fall...you feel pain.  Of course thats overly simple but love works that same way.  \nNow attraction on the other hand is something completely different you do have to work at that. but that just life.  \n\nI don't believe in God, actually I don't believe in YOUR God. A God that's only a few thousand years old, doesn't appeal to me.  I'd rather worship the ancient roman gods...they came first...plus Zeus sounds much better than God.  Anywayz, I think if he does exist he doesn't play a part in love...if he did, you might as well put your brain on manual and let it run by itself cause nothing you do is entirely your own action...its all God, until you kill someone.lol
44436
I'm looking for a person to date who shares my values.  I'd like my relationship to be something that helps me out in my life and I'd like a partner who can complement my strengths and weaknesses.  If the guy that I'm dating and I aren't moving towards the same goal, I don't think I'm interested.  I'm sure you're a nice person, but I want somebody that I can grow with.\n\nAlso, if I'm dating someone and I really care about him, why wouldn't I want him to experience the happiness I feel from following the teachings of Jesus Christ?
606636
Religion is ultimately irrelevant when it comes to love.  The instinctive love of a spouse or children trumps the man made concepts of religion most days.
171403
People do it all the time. Many times out of the conception of a child out of marriage. Or because they think they are in love but don't know the person. Or because they don't understand what real love is. I don't care if you believe in Christ or not the bible gives a REAL outline of love. Look at what it says and see if you are that way to your mate. If not (which we all fail in some areas) then strive everyday to be that kind of person.\n\nLove is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. \n\nLove never fails.\n\n1 Corinthians Chapter 13
396635
Does it interfere with your love of God?\n\nDoes it interfere with love for your fellow humans?
413650
well, I am not married...yet! I am a Christian, and God has definately blessed me. I never seemed to date the right kind of guy, until one day I let my heart get broken. It was then that I gave up being impatient, and gave God total control of my relationships. I wasnt even looking for a relatioonship, seeing how I just had my heart broke. I was online one day, and this random guy instant messaged me, and wanted to talk to me about God. He had seen on my profile that I was a Christian, and was hurting from a broken marriage and needed somenone to talk to that would give him Godly advice. At the moment I put my love life into Gods hands, is the very moment he opened up a new door and showed me the light that lead me out of darkness. Brandon was the guys name, and we started out by being friends and talking about God. He is unlike and other guy I have ever dated, and he is the answer to my life long prayer. I had almost given up on guys altogether, until Brandon walked into my life. He treats me with respect, honor, and loves me for me and the beautiful creation God made me. Although we are not married yet, I am basically waiting for him to propose. I thank God everyday for the gift he has brought into my life; I could never have imagined it would feel this wonderful to be loved.
25131
No, I have a strong relationship. There is a difference. Religion dictates belief while a relationship is nutured over time. I read the Bible and ask God to give me the details to understand. I have pastors that I mentor under, but I will challenge them if I think they are in error. It is not often, cause I got some great teachers.
321003
1. I get fullness of life, love, and hope, even as an atheist. People of faith do not have a monopoly on happiness.\n\n2. I believe that you do not get "eternity in heaven," and that your core beliefs are based on misinformation.\n\n3. Assuming you are right, I would rather not go to heaven than to spend one day embracing the intolerance, prejudice, and hatred that goes hand in hand with the modern interpretation of Christianity.
1069988
Did it ever occur  to you that people don't do everything to gain something for themselves but only out of love?\nPeople who are interested in helping you believe in God only want to share what they have found with you. \nYou are still free to reject it and they should respect your choice.
904780
God is Love. I do not know what you think love is. If you do not have God, You do not have love. you can not give love if you do not have love. They can not love you if they do not have love. True love comes from God. That is the only source for love. We have lust. Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes. Love is spiritual. Love is not in the natural realm. If you do not have God in you then you do not know what love is. Lust hurts then lust feels good. That is the enemy. Your flesh is the enemy of your spirit. Cry out to God and He will answer you. Your spirit feels void without Him. He put that void in you just for Him to live in. It is your choice if you want Him in there or not. If you reject Him you chose the enemy. Be wise. Ask God for His wisdom. You need it everyday. His mercy is new everyday. Cry out to Him now.
902449
No. I can't. \n\nI have to base my judgements on what I read in the bible and how I interpret it. \n\nI DO believe (for certain) one thing: \n\nGod loves us (ALL) therefore, once we accept that: \n\nWe have to love ourselves\n\nThen we have to love others as we love ourselves\n\nTHAT pretty much wraps it up.\n \nIf we treat others, regardless of whether we like them or not, how we want to be treated, if we love ourselves, odds are we'll do the right thing. \n\nThe rest is just semantics.