NationStates Jolt Archive

Found this interesting article, thought I'd share it with everyone. All of us who can't seem to keep civil on these boards might want to think about this.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/168/story_16807_1.html

I don't want to read the link.
I've often wondered what all the crap about love thy neighbour was about... I mean, sure, you need to be civil with those who live close to you, but like pretty much every other city-dweller, I very rarely talk to my neighbour at all.
Does it mean perhaps love other people in your life? Love those around you? That would make more sense, and I certainly agree with that kind of mentality.
However, most the Christian types I know certainly don't live my that philosophy.

Thanks for posting that. Just good advice that everybody should apply - especially on this board. Would end a lot of the negativity that turns good topics into garbage.

Im sorry but there are some things that require a bit of unpleasantness. Not being an American christian, I do sort of see your argument and in an ideal world I would whole-heartedly support it, but in the world we live in, I cannot do so.

The link actually reads "Can you love your neighbour if you hate yourself?"

My parents tell me that all the time, and every time I respond with the phrase "I would rather be self-critical than self-worshipping". The simple fact is that people tend to be groupable into one or the other, and ultimately the person who is harder on themself, but constantly seeks to improve, is less likely to have an adverse effect on those around them than the person who cannot see the log in his eye (as opposed to the speck in other people's).

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Im sorry but there are some things that require a bit of unpleasantness. Not being an American christian, I do sort of see your argument and in an ideal world I would whole-heartedly support it, but in the world we live in, I cannot do so.

Yes. I think one of the points made is that negativity springs from lack of self-esteem, which can be repaired. The article isn't suggesting never to be critical of issues.

If you read the Bible in any language but English, "Love thy neighbor" really means "Love people that you don't know [yet]". Of course, in any language, parts of the Bible are lost in translation.