You can answer "yes" or "no" or "this is a stupid question" if you'd like, but I'd appreciate any extra effort you put into your response.
2007-03-08 10:42:00 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
*sigh* I'm not implying they can't. I'm an atheist. I don't espouse the notion that I'm questioning. I'm simply wondering what kind of responses I'll get.
2007-03-08 10:47:12 · update #1
Of course they are capable of love.
To say "God is the source of love" is to deny human love, love between people. It makes love cheaper, more arbitrary and less personal and caring. Humans beings themselves are the source of love, and love between people is due to their own feelings, to take away their responsibility for this feeling and say that it depends on God is inhuman. To love someone purely with your heart and emotions is good, but to have to explain it away or want to take less responsibility for feeling and wanting that love is hurtful.
2007-03-08 10:47:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well of course they are! What makes you believe - that believing in a God is the criteria for loving? -Even animals "love" in their own way their masters, show affection, loyalty...is this based on their ability/belief in a God? Heavens no...That said, agnostics and atheists alike have a love life, are married, have children...While they may not be the majority, its pretty clear they are capable of giving and receiving love - and BELIEVING in it.
I really can't believe you asked this question...but then again, this board is a revelation in people asking all kinds of things one would think, they would inherently know...
Sincerely,
Grace
2007-03-08 18:48:02 · answer #2 · answered by bunnyONE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if anything its love disproves God. God is a being who expect worship and unverifiable faith or will condemn you to a horrible fate. Love is something that requires nothing on the part of those being loved. Love is something you give. If god was love then there wouldn't be a hell. (Assuming you are talking about Christian God) If not then you should have specified what god you were talking about and its abilities and devotions.
2007-03-08 18:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by Magus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Which god?
Let's be realistic here, ZC.. the god that the majority of people here will identify as god is the judeo-christian one.
That is not the oldest religion in the world. So, did people not love one another before the bronze age?
Of course they did.
Atheists and non-jews, non-christians are more than capable of love. Moreso than the god of that bible when you examine him carefully.
2007-03-08 18:49:03 · answer #4 · answered by Kallan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there are different types of love according to the Bible. Agape is the love of God and without being born again, no they are not capable of this type. They are capable of other types of love though.
2007-03-08 18:46:06 · answer #5 · answered by Revelation S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course we are. Everyone's capable of love, including us atheists. Atheists are probably better off in relationships (with other atheists, at least [because of how difficult getting along with some religious people can be]), anyway.
2007-03-08 18:48:26 · answer #6 · answered by juhsayngul 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people don't believe in God, because they cannot see Him. God is like the wind. you cannot see that neither, but you know it is there. But those people who don't believe in God are capable of love. God is love, so whether they believe or not, God is still within us all!
2007-03-08 18:55:35 · answer #7 · answered by Gerry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband is an agnostic and he is one of the most loving and caring people I know. He has always treated my daughter, his stepdaughter, with love, kindness, and respect. I have no doubt that you are capable of love without believing in god.
2007-03-08 18:57:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a person doesn't believe in God they are still capable of love, but my belief is that by understanding God's love for us we are capable of a more full expression of love. What I mean by that is by understanding that God loves us in spite of our imperfections, understanding that God sacrificed Jesus for us in spite of those imperfections, and that God loves us for who we are and not who we should be allows me to transfer that love into others. I don't believe that it is impossible for someone who doesn't beleive in God to love like this, I just believe that with this model in mind it makes it a lot easier for believers to grasp, and see how this love should be carried out.
2007-03-08 18:53:54 · answer #9 · answered by Mike 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a person does not believe in air, (You can't see it so it must not be there.) can the person live without breathing?
God is love. Your lack of recognition of God will not stop God from being love.
2007-03-08 18:52:19 · answer #10 · answered by Mary W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋