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originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic
I don't believe "unconditional love" exists among humans. There are conditions under which I would stop loving a person in every relationship in my life. The love I feel for my mother (RIP) would be the closest to "unconditional", but if she killed my dog (for no reason), for example, I would stop loving even her.
If a person continues to love someone, regardless of what that person does, I don't think that's love. That's obsession or something. It shows a lack of respect and love for one's self.
originally posted by: reldra
originally posted by: CynConcepts
Unconditional love is not ignoring the faults, crimes, or addictions of others. Doing so or living in denial of such, is far from loving that person. Unconditional Love is loving the individual and helping them overcome those undesirables, so they can be the best that they can be, happily. If the individual is not open to correction, you still can openingly love them unconditionally afar. One day, they may recognize that their was no malice in your intent and recognize that you really do care and love them unconditionally.
Not sure if I phrased this understandingly, but I tried.
Crimes (large ones) and addictions, no. They can't be overlooked. Faults...you cannot fix all the faults. You are on a nowhere journey if you are trying to fix all of someone's faults. That NEVER comes to a good end. That is part of unconditional love, you accept some faults. You can make suggestions on some, but you can;t push. Don;t throw stones in the glass house love-nest, both will have faults and the throwing of stones causes bigger and bigger cracks.
originally posted by: Moresby
Unconditional love means you will always love someone.
It does not mean you will approve of everything they do.
Parental love is the form of unconditional love most commonly experienced. And we all know that when a parent loves us unconditionally that does not prevent them from being highly critical of our behavior. In fact, their love demands it.
The same is true in other unconditional love situations.
I'm not sure unconditional love is something to strive for. It either comes or it doesn't. But I do think everyone should at some time in their lives experience unconditional love. Both giving it and getting it.
originally posted by: reldra
In that example, that would mean your mother had gone insane.
originally posted by: Profusion
originally posted by: Abysha
a reply to: Profusion
Unconditional love is simply that. It is removing your own prejudice and value systems when loving another person as long as it is not directly damaging you. Even then, you can still love at a distance.
That's the mafia code of ethics, is it not? "My husband steals for a living, so what? He treats myself and my children well. Who's to judge?"
originally posted by: Abysha
originally posted by: Profusion
originally posted by: Abysha
a reply to: Profusion
Unconditional love is simply that. It is removing your own prejudice and value systems when loving another person as long as it is not directly damaging you. Even then, you can still love at a distance.
That's the mafia code of ethics, is it not? "My husband steals for a living, so what? He treats myself and my children well. Who's to judge?"
I don't know if it is or not. If so, then they understand unconditional love. Keep in mind, though, that staying with somebody out of fear is not unconditional love. If you stay with a spouse who is improving your lifestyle by nefarious means, you are taking part of that as well. Why can't criminals have unconditional love for each other?
Why can't criminals have unconditional love for each other?
originally posted by: Profusion
I'm not sure psychopaths or sociopaths are capable of love. I'd like to hear your take on that.
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple."
originally posted by: Profusion
Unconditional love is something that's pushed in Western culture as something positive to strive for but is it really a positive thing?
In case you don't believe that Western culture promotes unconditional love as a positive thing, check out the following song. I've heard it throughout my life, "unconditional love is the pinnacle" but I don't agree.
My belief is
that when one has unconditional love for another, they generally start to accept the other's faults. The scary thing is, in my experience you can start to love the other's faults as your unconditional love can get jumbled up. Then you can end up loving everything about the person including all of their shortcomings. That can include any proclivities they have to lie, cheat, steal and do any other awful thing imaginable.
I have a thread about such a situation in fictional form:
Even cold-blooded murder can be tolerated or even accepted in the throes of unconditional love. As can possibly every other crime and evil action.
I can already hear the arguments that will follow, "You love the person, but abhor their wrong actions." It's a nice theory but I've rarely seen anyone that could follow it in practice. Cognitive dissonance, denial, and lots of other human frailties too often get in the way. And what we're left with is people who don't "love the person and abhor their wrong actions", they end up loving the person while ignoring their wrong actions or worse...assimilating their wrong actions into themselves, becoming an accomplice or even a partner in crime with the one they have unconditional love for.
originally posted by: dreamlotus1111
unconditional love is impossible
because unconditional means not subject to ANY conditions
which would be be a definitive/ perfect form of love. perfection in life does not exist.
there is only a spectrum between good and evil and balance is the only way to achieve the most favorable outcome between the two extremes.
originally posted by: namelesss
originally posted by: dreamlotus1111
unconditional love is impossible
Nonsense!
All who have the experience will affirm!
That you do not, is not uncommon, at this time, but lack of experience/Knowledge and ignorant opinions are bed-mates!
because unconditional means not subject to ANY conditions
Glad you cleared that up! *__-
which would be be a definitive/ perfect form of love. perfection in life does not exist.
And where do you get the Perfection to be able to discern/judge 'Perfection'?
Your vain and judgmental, insanely dualistic, imagination/ego?
"Every kind of partial and transitory disequilibrium must perforce contribute towards the great equilibrium of the whole.." - Rene' Guenon
there is only a spectrum between good and evil and balance is the only way to achieve the most favorable outcome between the two extremes.
Bypassing, for the moment that all religions consider such 'judgment' a sin; ALL 'good', and ALL 'evil', exist in the vain judgmental eye (thoughts/imagination, ego) of the beholder!
"We do not see the world as it is, we see it as we are!"