LOVE

[justifyothers]

There are no tests, scientifically or otherwise to prove its existence. It is felt, but not seen, it is desired and fought for, but not necessary.
It is not required for survival. In nature, it does not exist (except possibly within elephant communities)

It is LOVE. Why do we have it, want it, & seek it if we don't need it for the survival of our species?

If we are at the top of the 'hierarchy of beings', where did love come from? Science can't explain it , so why is it here?

Is there any other explanation than that of a creator, a 'loving' creator?

[bernee51]

HHMMM...thanks for posting that data. It's interesting, huh? I agree with your idea about the 'utopian' view of love. It does make some have unrealistic expectations, which is probably why our divorce rate IS so high. But I do think the effects of 'love' such as kindness and compassion are what seem most benficial and helpful to our society. These are the meaningful attributes of 'love' we should focus on.

I agree on the limitation that it is love portrayed as humanity, not romance. I may be atheist, but I believe you should love (respect, help) your neighbor, unless they give reasons not to. But in regards to relationships, the concept it moot. It has become so abused and made mystical that future generations stand little to no hope of finding it. They will read their childhood fantasy books, and never find prince charming. It is sad, but true.

I know.....my daughter is nine and I fully intend on making sure she doesn't have this false idea of love (to the best of my ability).

Having two daughters I understand your concern..and your aspirations. Most likely she will go the way my daughters (now both 30+) went and are going...how THEY want to and NEED to...not how we may or may not wish for them.

How do you know that your idea of love is not a false idea of love?

[justifyothers]

HHMMM...thanks for posting that data. It's interesting, huh? I agree with your idea about the 'utopian' view of love. It does make some have unrealistic expectations, which is probably why our divorce rate IS so high. But I do think the effects of 'love' such as kindness and compassion are what seem most benficial and helpful to our society. These are the meaningful attributes of 'love' we should focus on.

I agree on the limitation that it is love portrayed as humanity, not romance. I may be atheist, but I believe you should love (respect, help) your neighbor, unless they give reasons not to. But in regards to relationships, the concept it moot. It has become so abused and made mystical that future generations stand little to no hope of finding it. They will read their childhood fantasy books, and never find prince charming. It is sad, but true.

I know.....my daughter is nine and I fully intend on making sure she doesn't have this false idea of love (to the best of my ability).

Having two daughters I understand your concern..and your aspirations. Most likely she will go the way my daughters (now both 30+) went and are going...how THEY want to and NEED to...not how we may or may not wish for them.

How do you know that your idea of love is not a false idea of love?

Well, I can't pretend I'll end up raising her in a perfect manner. I can't say I'll do everything right and she'll turn out perfect. I can only use my experience and any small amount of wisdom I have to do my best. So, my idea of love may be false (I doubt it) , but I think I can say for sure that a fairytale romance IS false.
So I can try to see that she doesn't presume a 'fairy tale' love is awaiting her. I can only see this as beneficial. Do you see a downside to this idea?

They all seem to end up going their own way, but I think their own way includes what they've learned from us wise old things

[Goat]

HHMMM...thanks for posting that data. It's interesting, huh? I agree with your idea about the 'utopian' view of love. It does make some have unrealistic expectations, which is probably why our divorce rate IS so high. But I do think the effects of 'love' such as kindness and compassion are what seem most benficial and helpful to our society. These are the meaningful attributes of 'love' we should focus on.

I agree on the limitation that it is love portrayed as humanity, not romance. I may be atheist, but I believe you should love (respect, help) your neighbor, unless they give reasons not to. But in regards to relationships, the concept it moot. It has become so abused and made mystical that future generations stand little to no hope of finding it. They will read their childhood fantasy books, and never find prince charming. It is sad, but true.

I know.....my daughter is nine and I fully intend on making sure she doesn't have this false idea of love (to the best of my ability).

Having two daughters I understand your concern..and your aspirations. Most likely she will go the way my daughters (now both 30+) went and are going...how THEY want to and NEED to...not how we may or may not wish for them.

How do you know that your idea of love is not a false idea of love?

The best thing you can do is provide them with all the information, all the advice and love, and then you just have to let them make their own mistakes. That is what I am having to do, with my "foster" daughter. I just hope that I can undo the damage her mother did to her. I found sometimes it takes a village.

[justifyothers]

HHMMM...thanks for posting that data. It's interesting, huh? I agree with your idea about the 'utopian' view of love. It does make some have unrealistic expectations, which is probably why our divorce rate IS so high. But I do think the effects of 'love' such as kindness and compassion are what seem most benficial and helpful to our society. These are the meaningful attributes of 'love' we should focus on.

I agree on the limitation that it is love portrayed as humanity, not romance. I may be atheist, but I believe you should love (respect, help) your neighbor, unless they give reasons not to. But in regards to relationships, the concept it moot. It has become so abused and made mystical that future generations stand little to no hope of finding it. They will read their childhood fantasy books, and never find prince charming. It is sad, but true.

I know.....my daughter is nine and I fully intend on making sure she doesn't have this false idea of love (to the best of my ability).

Having two daughters I understand your concern..and your aspirations. Most likely she will go the way my daughters (now both 30+) went and are going...how THEY want to and NEED to...not how we may or may not wish for them.

How do you know that your idea of love is not a false idea of love?

The best thing you can do is provide them with all the information, all the advice and love, and then you just have to let them make their own mistakes. That is what I am having to do, with my "foster" daughter. I just hope that I can undo the damage her mother did to her. I found sometimes it takes a village.

Ohhh, that's a tough job. Nothing that love & time can't conquer, though - let the village help!! It is so very kind of you to take that on - the ultimate in unselfishness
It's funny about letting your kids make their own mistakes. It's hard to do, but it IS the true way they can learn & own the lesson. Nothing sticks with us more than what we went through (hard) to get there.

[Goat]

HHMMM...thanks for posting that data. It's interesting, huh? I agree with your idea about the 'utopian' view of love. It does make some have unrealistic expectations, which is probably why our divorce rate IS so high. But I do think the effects of 'love' such as kindness and compassion are what seem most benficial and helpful to our society. These are the meaningful attributes of 'love' we should focus on.

I agree on the limitation that it is love portrayed as humanity, not romance. I may be atheist, but I believe you should love (respect, help) your neighbor, unless they give reasons not to. But in regards to relationships, the concept it moot. It has become so abused and made mystical that future generations stand little to no hope of finding it. They will read their childhood fantasy books, and never find prince charming. It is sad, but true.

I know.....my daughter is nine and I fully intend on making sure she doesn't have this false idea of love (to the best of my ability).

Having two daughters I understand your concern..and your aspirations. Most likely she will go the way my daughters (now both 30+) went and are going...how THEY want to and NEED to...not how we may or may not wish for them.

How do you know that your idea of love is not a false idea of love?

The best thing you can do is provide them with all the information, all the advice and love, and then you just have to let them make their own mistakes. That is what I am having to do, with my "foster" daughter. I just hope that I can undo the damage her mother did to her. I found sometimes it takes a village.

Ohhh, that's a tough job. Nothing that love & time can't conquer, though - let the village help!! It is so very kind of you to take that on - the ultimate in unselfishness
It's funny about letting your kids make their own mistakes. It's hard to do, but it IS the true way they can learn & own the lesson. Nothing sticks with us more than what we went through (hard) to get there.

Yes, it is. Although I had warning I might be called upon to do this, I really was not prepared emotionally to what it entailed. I am just glad she listens. She goes a head and makes her own mistake anyway, but she at least knows and understands the challenges she is facing. That won't stop the hurt from coming, but that is at least helping with coping with it afterwards.