Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Can humans love unconditionally?
Much time has been spent trying to define love. Countless people have attempted to describe what love is into words, and as much as some grand efforts and definitions have been put together, we are still left with the question of...what is love really. I mean, you can have a relationship with someone, think that you are in love with them, then the relationship ends, and you are left to wonder if you truly loved them, or if you imagined yourself to be in love.
I mean, your definition of love is going to be tainted by different experiences in your life, whether that be your view of your parent's relationship, your past relationships, your relationship with various people in your life, etc. So, how can we truly know what love is.
I believe that Christ is the ultimate example of love, and many people would reference Him as that. He lived out an example of love that cannot be surpassed or reached by a human.
However, this brings us back to the question: Can humans love unconditionally?
I am not sure what the answer is to that, although I would tend to side with the fact that they cannot. The closest relationship that I can imagine would show unconditional love, would be that of a parent to their child. Most parents will love their children no matter what they do, there is this bond created that other relationships do not have. Perhaps that is because the parents have created something...and hence have this immediate attachment.
Where as humans who try to create a relationship, I don't think can love unconditionally as relationships are often based on a variety of factors, and if someone were to be brutally honest with themselves, there is a self-serving aspect deep down inside them whether it be large or small.
Perhaps I am completely wrong about this...it wouldn't be the first time :) Maybe one day I will know the answer to this question, but for now...these are my thoughts...just words on a paper.
Much time has been spent trying to define love. Countless people have attempted to describe what love is into words, and as much as some grand efforts and definitions have been put together, we are still left with the question of...what is love really. I mean, you can have a relationship with someone, think that you are in love with them, then the relationship ends, and you are left to wonder if you truly loved them, or if you imagined yourself to be in love.
I mean, your definition of love is going to be tainted by different experiences in your life, whether that be your view of your parent's relationship, your past relationships, your relationship with various people in your life, etc. So, how can we truly know what love is.
I believe that Christ is the ultimate example of love, and many people would reference Him as that. He lived out an example of love that cannot be surpassed or reached by a human.
However, this brings us back to the question: Can humans love unconditionally?
I am not sure what the answer is to that, although I would tend to side with the fact that they cannot. The closest relationship that I can imagine would show unconditional love, would be that of a parent to their child. Most parents will love their children no matter what they do, there is this bond created that other relationships do not have. Perhaps that is because the parents have created something...and hence have this immediate attachment.
Where as humans who try to create a relationship, I don't think can love unconditionally as relationships are often based on a variety of factors, and if someone were to be brutally honest with themselves, there is a self-serving aspect deep down inside them whether it be large or small.
Perhaps I am completely wrong about this...it wouldn't be the first time :) Maybe one day I will know the answer to this question, but for now...these are my thoughts...just words on a paper.
Labels: Questions