(April 7, 2017 at 9:43 am)hopey Wrote:(April 7, 2017 at 9:37 am)SteveII Wrote: I would say that all these "add-on" issues that we later see more clearly are a result of the culture and times each of those issues developed in. While I agree that the culture has improved, I think the development of the "add-on" issue did not originate from NT teachings so cannot be characterized as a change in Christianity--but rather of society.
The reformation of Christianity came not so much on the back of humanism, but rather the bible was printed, and the church began to realise that Jesus did not burn people at the stake, extort money from converts, or want wars to promote the faith. The bible of its self has power.
We now know Jesus taught "Love your enemies, do good to them", he pardoned those condemned to death, forgiving and merciful.
I don't love my enemies, what a self loathing attitude. That teaches you to be a doormat.
Now if you want a non superstitious realistic version of love. I most certainly do love my species capability to be compassionate. And no, I don't think humans should be out for revenge when someone hurts them. I am for self defense and containment when someone hurts me, nobody likes to be hurt. But no, I don't owe those who hurt me any love. I only owe my fellow humans rights even if they are accused of hurting me.
I don't love Hitler or Stalin or Kim Jong Un. Do not expect me to love monsters. Not even on a domestic level with mundane crime. You steal my shit, I call the police. You harm my family or friends, I call the police. You get convicted it is still up to me, not a third party, as to if I forgive them one to one. No, I don't owe you love. I owe you rights, nothing more. I owe you a right to a trial if you are accused, but I don't owe you my love.
