Explain “unconditional love” David. Since, it is clear (to me anyway)that the love taught by the Christians in the New Testament bears no resemblance – for a few examples – to what neo-cons, liberals, progressives and Muslims proclaim. There definately seems to be conditions set forth in the Gospel and the Letters to follow. I’m betting that corporations running society, altering and/or redefining scripture that disagrees with condoning Marxism and sexual licentiousness, following humanism to warp the meaning of family and marriage, and murdering people that won’t follow Islam is not part of “unconditional love.” What say ye?

Unconditional Love – (See Jesus) the “Agape” style love towards another person that brings with it blessings & hope & peace in accordance with Gods wil for all of us.

Beautiful David! A blessing for the start of the day….thank you!

Interesting also that Paul and Blake, the doubter and mystic who turned from Christianity to spiritualism should find things in common. The boundaries of religion don’t limit faith, love or God. It just retains power.

Unconditional love – perhaps the mother who attends her own son’s execution, able to embrace the victim of his crime, and know that her son is still beloved – that’s a woman who understands unconditional love. I heard such a person interviewed once and this reading came to mind.
Interesting statement Doug – religion retains power – does this mean religion may not be able to encompass unconditional love? I tend to think that those within religion can do so, but religion as a entity that exists institutionally cannot.
Perhaps a difference between pastoral and dogmatic.

I agree with Thinker that religion as an institution cannot encompass unconditional love. Witness the disagreements, sometimes violent, between Catholic and Protestant, between Sunni and Shia, between Hindu and Buddhist, etc. Religion retains a power, albeit temporal. This too shall pass. Zoroastrianism, anyone?
My knowledge of mimetic theory is limited to how it applies to art theory – granted, not very useful information outside the breakroom of a Starbucks. However, I believe religions as institutions demand an us-vs-them requirement. Otherwise there could be no feelings of superiority, of correct thought, of hierarchy, indeed of distinguishing one religion from another in some cases (Methodist vs Presbyterian?). Religion is business, plain and simple.
My question: is unconditional love the same as unconditional forgiveness? If not, then is love truly there? If yes, whither Hell?

Thinker, I don’t claim to know, but that sounds right. We all have the hope of loving God fully and our neighbors as ourselves but I can’t imagine religion accompanying us halfway there.

The rivalry between religious institutions always seems to be one in which they mirror their ability and willingness to scapegoat – exclude those who fall into their Sacrificial System. We watch Northern Ireland – the Troubles – and they – the Orange vs Green; Catholic vs Protestant – are mirrors in their spiraling ability to dehumanize and kill the other. Each side takes its moral oneupsmanship from the other. Once you fall into that trap – the only way out is to leave the system completely and be an outsider yourself the only beloved of God. It works in little churches, Big churches, in government and in every other organization of people.
Perhaps the potential difference in the Church – is the ability the Church occasionally has to examine its own excesses and repent.
It certainly is the only way we as human beings can leave a system that dehumanizes some.
As you might see – I think mimetic theory and the reflection that goes with it – has the possibility of being that correction in institutions and in individuals.

I see and have seen, Thinker, but I think of the part in Exodus when God tells Moses he will carry him as the Eagle carries her hatchling. Maybe religion is there to teach us about God when we are young, to turn our faces upward and then can’t do any more good. Maybe religion just isn’t there for grown-ups.
If there’s something universal about human institutions other than that they are plagued with people, it is probably over-reaching.

Amen Kuo!
This is the poetry I like to read. This is why I frequent this blog. It lifts me up rather than drags me down.
Thanks

Interesting also that Paul and Blake, the doubter and mystic who turned from Christianity to spiritualism should find things in common. The boundaries of religion don’t limit faith, love or God. It just retains power.
Evelyn Underhill, quoting Coventry Patmore-
“The work of the Church in the world,” says Patmore, “is not to teach the mysteries of life, so much as to persuade the soul to that arduous degree of purity at which God Himself becomes her teacher. The work of the Church ends when the knowledge of God begins.”

David,
Just keep on shining, my man.
The writings of Paul have historically generated so much scholarship, speculation, debate and controversy on both sides of the Reformation divide that it is often easy to overlook the first reason these early churches so treasured Paul’s letters. They treasured Paul. Thanks for the reminder.

Unconditional Love – Being able to put aside Donny’s endless malevolence, hateful behavior and spite, and to wish him the best, hope that he becomes more happy, and that he learns and grows.
It’s easy. Unconditional love means loving others as you love yourself. Even though you do stupid, cruel things, you still wish the best for yourself, hope things will work out ok, and keep working to make your own life better.