RE: Do atheists believe in the existence of friendship?
May 18, 2023 at 6:56 pm
(This post was last modified: May 18, 2023 at 6:56 pm by KerimF.)
(May 18, 2023 at 5:42 pm)Ravenshire Wrote:(May 18, 2023 at 4:51 pm)KerimF Wrote: A man loved really a woman. And the woman welcomed his love because she was seeing in him the man of her dreams. She lived with him, and both knew how to help each other and be happy. But, at the same time, she hoped, deep in herself, that, someday, they will be able to be one for life, by marriage. A marriage, anywhere on earth, is based on a contract which has to be confirmed by a third party representing a certain authority, civil or religious (or, on the sea, by the captain of a ship).
On the other hand, the real friendship which could exist between two humans, also for life, doesn't need being approved by any authority (a third party).
If we exclude chemicals, the 'thing' that should exist in real friendship and may not exist in marriage, is the missing word here that you all know, but you insist not to say it to tease me
Your obviously searching for the word "love," but you couldn't be more wrong. It's entirely possible to have friends you do not love, just as it's possible to love someone you don't particularly like.
Thousands, even tens of thousands, of people will imprint on your life. Some positively, some negatively, some indifferently. Within those who imprint positively, there is a spectrum we call friends. Some are friends for life, others for a season, and a goodly chunk are people we are merely friendly with. To claim that love is the defining characteristic of all friendships is certified USDA Grade A bullshit.
I am very Sorry
It is not the word 'love'. Love could have many different meanings. The missing word is a practical one and cannot have more than one meaning
