Is “love” significant?

[XK9_Knight]

[if] emotions are temporary states, they do not have lasting meaning or value.

I think you could define love in other ways. For example, if something about someone inspires in you feelings of altruism, you could call that love, and that would be significant in that it has affected the lover's world view. In some cases, love can mean a complete abandonment of the sense of importance of the self in favor of the other. I've argued that Christianity has this advantage-- that it places something other than pleasure at the center of a person's world view. And when multiple people are defining their center around the same idea-- myth or not-- that establishes a special community. Atheism doesn't do this, though certainly there are many altruistic atheists, or those who share common goals.

Personally, I'd keep maybe half a dozen Christian values, and right at the top would be "love your neighbor as you love yourself." The goofy history, wrong science and fear mongering, I'd cut.

So love as an action –devoid of self-interest- is a meaningful endeavor? Hmm, yes. Good. I would completely agree if that’s what you’re getting at. Benny I think that comment just cut across the board; unless someone here would be inclined to disagree I think we’ve found some sort of consensus?

… Oh geez, do I want to go down this rabbit hole further and discuss why we agree, or whether humanity has intrinsic value? OnO
I think it best to leave that for another discussion.

XK9 - Knight, does your user name mean you used to be a dog but now you're a horse? :-)

If your asking if love is significant to get a feel for what we're like, we get a feel for what you might think atheists are like by your question and it's purpose.

I find it surprising that an intelligent person like yourself could still be religious without having felt the love of god.
I was a x-tian for the first part of my life and I never felt god's love, not once.

You think love is like an appetite and never fulfilled.
It's true, but that's because it can't be taken for granted and it must be maintained.
Good things are never easy.
That's just my view, not all other atheists.
We actually all only agree on one thing. :-)

Dog? No! …



The “Knight” part just sounds cool; honestly, you can call me Josh.

I do, however think that bolded section was rather apt. It’s a simple concept, but it’s taken for granted.