Love your enemies?

Question

I'm an atheist, so I don't take any religion seriously, but something really bugs me about people who do. For example, someone in the Bible said "love your enemy as you would your friend" or something like that. But if I loved my enemy like I loved my friend (let alone loved my enemy AT ALL), then...what's the difference between having an enemy and a friend? Wouldn't that be an insult to friendship? Answer that, Christians. There's a reason that we have enemies; to HATE them.

Answer 1

Think beyond. Are there benefits to having hate? The only person you are hurting by building up hate inside you is yourself. Why not forgive them in your heart and move on. It doesnt' mean that you have to let them step all over you, just that you are the better person. I believe that I have eternal life, so it's not worth harboring hate. Especially when I remember that Jesus died for me and then forgave me. Even if you don't believe in God or Jesus, surely you would want the best experience out of your life here on the earth (especially if you think you only get one shot)- your sense of reality is how you experience in life. You can psychologically influence your own moods to be better if your brain isn't releasing chemicals resulting from stress, anger, and resentment.

Answer 2

Would you rather have an enemy or a friend? A friend will help you an enemy will hurt you. If you try to love and be friends with your enemies then you will not be hurt as often. It also says in the Bible if you love some one who loves you how great is that loved compared to some one who hates you or something close to that. If you love your enemies you will find that they will become your friends. Trust me it happened to me>

Answer 3

it would not be an insult to friendship, it would make enemies nonexistant. We are not required to like everyone, or even get along necessarily, but we are required to love. A parent does not always like their children, but they never stop loving them. Our world cannot exist without hate, because too many people cannot give it up. Being a Christian does not call us to be perfect, it just shines a light on our imperfections so that we see our need for God's grace.

Answer 4

It depends on what you want to spread from you to the world. Hate is negative. Treating your enemy with love and humility helps to spread positivity. It's also the last thing they would usually expect. When you get sick of feeling negative and hateful all the time, I hope you'll try something different.

Answer 5

Most of the time we have enemies because of fear. Pope John Paul II said it very well when he said "Be Not Afraid!" He was talking about alot more than what is on the surface of those three words.

Answer 6

I pray for John Mark Karr (dude who claimed to kill Jon Benet). Why? I pray for his correction before his death so that the little girls he molests won't get molested. Cure the sinner, the innocent stay innocent.

What's my other choice? The government? Ha-Ha-Haaaa. They were handed him on a silver platter by the Thailand government and let him go ... the FBI said they don't have ANYONE following him (Dr. Keith Oblow Show) ... obviously, I can get more from God than the Government.

Answer 7

I love my enemies not hate. Sometimes I dont like them but thats the way it goes.

I dont necessarily like you or your attitude but I dont hate you and if I saw you in need I would help if I could.

Thats Christianity for you.

Answer 8

Love your enemies as you love yourself.

I'm a smoker, so I must have a problem with ME and I'm killing ME!