I just read a story about a dog that saved the lives of five children (attacked by two other dogs), but died as a result. A dog is instinct. It goes after bears when a human thinks: "um, I won't win that fight." Why would a human being give up his/her life for another?
2007-05-16 06:50:36 · 8 answers · asked by Shinigami 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
you know, so many of you answered with "love". I had totally forgotten about that. Weird huh? I guess I needed a reminder.
2007-05-16 08:10:16 · update #1
Love and kinship has a lot to do with it. When I was around 13 years old, my brother and were playing in the ocean on the Oregon Coast. My brother got caught up in a rip tide and I swam out to him, despite the fact I couldn't touch the bottom and I could feel the rip tide trying to pull me in. I knew I was risking my own life, but I was determined to save my brother. I grabbed his arm and pulled him to safety. It's an unexplained instinct we have.
2007-05-16 06:55:42 · answer #1 · answered by Water Witch 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Love
2007-05-16 13:54:14 · answer #2 · answered by Romans 8:28 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Love
2007-05-16 13:53:23 · answer #3 · answered by sassinya 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not so sure that it's totally instinct on the dog's part or that there is no instinctual part in humans; it's just humans can over-ride their instincts.
Many humans in many different cultures throughout history have sacrificed themselves for others, and on a darker side have willingly sacrificed themselves or allowed themselves to be sacrificed.
2007-05-16 13:59:29 · answer #4 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For some people it is because they are a friend and follower of Jesus, who said:
"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you."
For many people, that is enough.
2007-05-16 13:57:56 · answer #5 · answered by Faustina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love for one another. I would willingly give up my life if it came down to saving my children.
2007-05-16 13:54:38 · answer #6 · answered by momof3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Greater love. Greater love hath no man than he that will lay down his life for his friends.
2007-05-16 14:10:46 · answer #7 · answered by Old Hickory 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Out of pure love!
2007-05-16 14:49:36 · answer #8 · answered by jasmin2236 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋