I mean, this kind of love is the purest, sacrificial one.
I understand why Christian societies want to keep it, as a core value. But can it benefit the individual who practices, or by definition, he will be used and consumed by whom he loved?
Well i do believe your love for god and for others is a personal decision and should not be influenced by others.
I'm not in favor of organized religion. It leads to so many evils in the name of God.
Keep your heart pure,you know what God wants,listen to yourself and listen to your soul.
Hate is easy,love is hard
Walk the hard road :)
It depends on how you define "benefit." Love may not win you material gains, but it definitely makes you a lot happier. If not for love, why should we even live? Love is the most beautiful thing.
I think love is a burden one chooses to carry. Without it, life may be easier but less rewarding.
Dukedog's words remind me of this passage of Frank Herbert's classic scifi novel Dune:
*Orange Catholic Bible: the "Accumulated Book", the religious text produced by the Commission of Ecumenical Translators. It contains elements of most ancient religions, including the Maometh Saari, Mahayana Christianity, Zensunni Catholicism and Buddislamic traditions. Its supreme commandment is considered to be "Thou shalt not disfigure the soul."*
On an etymological note, "agape" happens to be very near "aggelia" (message) and "aggelos" (messenger) in the ancient greek dictionary. From there are derived the words for the gospel (the good news) in many romance languages, and the word "angel".
Ágape is generally good.
On the contrary hatred is generally bad.
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