Do you love everyone?

[removeduser_4536284751384]

I think everyone is deserving of our empathy and love regardless of who they are or what they have done. Despite major figures past and present of every common religious beliefs also preaching this, it seems surprisingly uncommon.

Do you?

[Lazarus]

I am willing to try to love everyone as much as I can (see the sig). Some people honestly just don't want to be loved though. I'm reminded of Butters in South Park handing bunnies to a little girl to prove that she has a heart - because nobody with a heart could kill a bunny. Anyway she snaps 20 something bunnies necks.

I'm not about to go out and hand bunnies to people. You snap a bunnies neck I get it. That said, everyone starts off with equal opportunity.

[NotYetRegistered]

No. On individual level people do, sometimes, but on international and national level there is no empathy, only greed.

I think everyone is deserving of our empathy and love

Would you empathise with somebody who does evil, knowing that what he does is evil and has no excuses or regret for it?

[removeduser_4536284751384]

Would you empathise with somebody who does evil, knowing that what he does is evil and has no excuses or regret for it?

Yes. There is a lot of determinism in people's actions. We are programmed by our genetics to be moral creatures. If someone has done something wrong, it is because something in their nature or nurture has caused them to. The role of the criminal justice system should be to change their nurture so they don't, in other words to fix their problem.

I know of a case here in Ireland recently where a a man and woman had an extramarital affair with each other and murdered their respective husband and wife. Obviously an utterly heinous crime that can never be justified. But that those two people were born or have gone through life in such a way that they are capable of that, is as unfortunate as someone who was born or became paralyzed through no fault of their own.

[Matthias]

Would you empathise with somebody who does evil, knowing that what he does is evil and has no excuses or regret for it?

There is no such thing as "evil" (or "good" for that matter). Could I emphasize with someone who literally didn't have the capacity for empathy? Sure, because I'm an empathetic person myself.

I don't "love" everyone, at least in the way I define it, I have to get to know them somewhat I think. But I don't hate anyone and never will. Dislike or not prefer, sure, but "hate" is a strong word the way I define it.

I do hate false dichotomies like good and evil though, but those aren't people, just concepts.

[Adar]

I love very few.

I like a lot of people and my default stance is to be helpful to anyone. But actual love I reserve for my wife, family and friends who have earned it.

Then I also have a few people whom I honestly don't like or respect. In some cases it just mean that I don't like them but some people are just honestly bat crazy and the world would be better if they disappeared or were isolated from the normal population.

edit: And Digly, you seem a lot more open in the travelers lodge. If necessary I'd pay for the first drink if I end up on Malta/Dutchland in the future .

[hellas1]

@The OP...Not to belittle you but check these points out:

First....Define "love"

Second......Define "everyone"

To me, Love is God as is manifested in the New Testament in I Corinthians 13.
"Everyone" is a human being and sentient beings like cows, lambs, goats, dolphins, dogs, cats, etc.
I'm a vegetarian because I understand that animals are sentient beings and I try to keep my "damage control" level to a minimum.

Love is not sex. Sex is intercourse. The two get frequently abused insofar as daily speech & living are concerned in the U.S. anyway.

hellas1

[basics]

" But actual love I reserve for my wife, family and friends who have earned it."

Adar,

I suspect the question was put as a putdown on Christianity and what you are saying is what most people can identify with. However the love that Jesus talked about rises way above that. It is unconditional. It asks nothing in return. It's demands are all on the giver and none on whomever is to receive.

That God gave His only begotten Son so that you and me might not perish is not for the mundane that is this planet but a higher calling for a world yet to come so what Jesus was talking about was for them and the expectations on them that will inherit this new place. Their example for the moment is to be like that until it does come.

[Blatta Optima Maxima]

I don't love anyone, but I do my best to be empathetic to everyone.

[AqD]

I think everyone is deserving of our empathy and love regardless of who they are or what they have done. Despite major figures past and present of every common religious beliefs also preaching this, it seems surprisingly uncommon.

I love them until I see what they are and what they have done.

[PlPs]

Would you empathise with somebody who does evil, knowing that what he does is evil and has no excuses or regret for it?

this.

[Veliky Kaiser Theos]

I think love is something to be earned, not a default.

[Deathless]

I think love is something to be earned, not a default.

This^

I have a sense of humanity, empathy, compassion,etc. However like respect, love is something I feel is earned save perhaps in the case of one's child.

[Aeneas Veneratio]

I have a neutral stance towards people I don't know, I give them empathy, respect and might aid them, if they are in need. For people I know, my stance can differ from the lowest low to love. Loving everyone wouldn't be wise, since my mood would constantly be affected by people dying.

[Col. Tartleton]

My heart is an unbeating stone.

[Arbitrary Crusader]

I think everyone is deserving of our empathy and love regardless of who they are or what they have done. Despite major figures past and present of every common religious beliefs also preaching this, it seems surprisingly uncommon.

Do you?

I do not agree that I should give my love to everyone.

However, I believe that people of all should have a chance of my love or empathy. If it mean that much to them.

As nice as the notion of "Love your fellows man", I believe that impossible for me to an extent.

[Ummagumma]

I ~try~ to respect everyone, but ~Love~.. no. Simply, No.

[Biggieboy]

In my personal situation, there are some people I don't "love", so no, I don't love everyone, and I don't think everyone deserves empathy. Well, to a certain points, but there are limits

[Lord of Lost Socks]

My prophet(only to satisfy the "Atheism is a religion-crowd"):
http://www.wimp.com/bertranddescendants/

[Himster]

Nah, I can only become attached to most people, love is something special. I become attached as one would to a good tailor or an affable concierge.