Yeah i know!! here comes all the hate mail:)
2006-08-09 08:02:00 · 39 answers · asked by soulsista 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I honestly think that they can...to a certain degree. God is pure love and we get such a clear picture of what love is supposed to be...selfless.
Most people that are athiest are also the ones supporting abortion, have multiple sexual partners, party and live a life that they would not want to be convicted to live. So I see that often, not always, but very often the atheists I've known have a very selfish sense of what love is and usually only seek the things that benefit them.
They, unfortunately don't know the pure love that God has and provides to those who have faith, but I beleive there is a semblence of love all be it based on feelings and often times superficial. But I couldn't imagine a mother athiest or Christian not loving their child. So yes they do love, just not to its fullest potential, in my opinion
2006-08-09 08:10:43 · answer #1 · answered by Levi I 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, and I'll give you reasoning that both sides can accept:
1) From the atheist standpoint: The second premise is faulty. God does not exist, but love does; therefore God does not equal love, thus the faulty premise is QED. Since therefore the existance of god and of love are mutually exclusive (meaning one does not need the other to exist), atheists can and do love.
2) From the Christian standpoint: God loves the people of the world (including those that do not believe in Him) so much that He gave everyone the capability to love each other in this life without requiring them to believe in Him.
2006-08-09 08:13:28 · answer #2 · answered by hogan.enterprises 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did human beings love before we invented Monotheism?
interesting question.
Romantic love in the western sense first appears in the tales of Guinivere and Lancelot and Arthur.
But real love undisguised by lust is that for a parent for their child.
I have been an Atheist since I was 12
But I would die for my kids if that is what it would take to ensure their safety.
I don't think any reasonable person would say that Atheists can't or don't love.
I think human capacities for love and all the other most intense emotions predate civilization. Jesus was an alright guy I suppose, but he and the religion that spawned him did not invent love.
2006-08-09 08:14:31 · answer #3 · answered by aka DarthDad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm... I wonder why you're expecting hate mail? Is that the point of this? Are you just trying to attack someone else's system of belief? That's not very loving of you.
Every single person on this planet loves. Did love exist before your particular religion? Yes. There is love in 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' which is the oldest known text - older than any religious writing. Do people of other religions love? Buddhists don't believe in god, would you say they can't love? Hindus believe in many gods (including several gods of love), can they thus love more then those who only believe in one god?
If god is love, and you love god and seek to do his/her work, should you not love atheists rather than trying to antagonize and insult them?
2006-08-09 08:25:09 · answer #4 · answered by du_robot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend who is an atheist and he loves his wife and children as much as you or me or anyone else. Why would you subject yourself to a bunch of hateful or sarcastic responses? That seems awfully needy. You could've spent the time praying or in quiet contemplation...but you chose to cause yourself a bunch of hassle instead? I find it absolutely mindboggling that some spiritual people feel the need to preach for no reason at all except to make some noise. I've never had the need to tell a bunch of strangers of my beliefs and my faith only to deal with the hateful backlash.
I just don't get it.
2006-08-09 08:10:30 · answer #5 · answered by jamie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm not going to Send you hate mail, But I will say this In order to love the right way is Through God, Because his love is unconditional and forgiving, so you have to ask yourself Are you like that Unconditional Love forgiving, Eventhough the things that you are doing seem right In God eyes they could be wrong so You would need to get to know him for yourself and let him pour his unconditional love to you
2006-08-09 08:08:11 · answer #6 · answered by tay_2_sweet04 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well an atheist is someone who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.
Being an atheist doe not necessarily means that he or she does not love . It is just of their belief in the whole issue of Religion and God is not for their Lifestyle.
Religion cannot be spread by the sword(not refering to Islam as I am a muslim). One choose their path in Life and the religion they choose but that does not mean they can be loving individual who loves their children, friends and family.
Atheist will direct all their Love to other things... so the answer to your question is YEs they do Love cause There in basic compassion in all human beings despite their beliefs.
2006-08-09 08:10:54 · answer #7 · answered by Arzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if there is going to be hatemail But you know since atheists don't believe in God, they wouldn't really agree with the definition that God is love. So of course Atheists can love...everything except religion anyways.
2006-08-09 08:06:33 · answer #8 · answered by QB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once again you assume everyone believes in your god.
You ask a flamatory, ignorant question and then like a prophet you fortell hate mail coming. Do you think we can't see through that childish, grade school logic?
Please, try again and use some intelligence next time
2006-08-09 08:07:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry. I tried and tried to find a definition of love in a dictionary that would support your theory and, lo and behold, I found none. I suppose next you'll say that the people involved in printing the dictionary must have some mass conspiracy to undermine the whole "love is God" definition.
2006-08-09 09:15:38 · answer #10 · answered by jdscorrupted 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋