Anonymous #1 1d

Well it’s just funny you’d choose to deconstruct this bible quote, which is generally used to support messages of love and acceptance, rather than one that condones violence or hate.

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Anonymous OP 1d

I’m not deconstructing anything, I’m saying that “love thy neighbor” was not the most important part of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus was on Earth to lead us back to God. Matthew 22: “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love for others is secondary, and it stems from a love of God.

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Anonymous #1 1d

Okay and maybe it’s because I’m an atheist, but you have to hear how that sounds right? “Love for others is secondary”? To your god? And also that this is something you’re considering not horribly important? Also it would still be a rule. It’s still in your bible. And, call me crazy I don’t know, it seems like your Jesus cared about his neighbors. Giving his body for others, washing peoples feet, helping the poor and needy. Do his actions not enforce this message for you?

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Anonymous OP 1d

When did I say that love for others was unimportant, or that Jesus never taught it? The section I quoted directly contradicts that. I’m just saying it’s not the whole point. God is the whole point, which is the core of Jesus’ message. It’s not as if you ever have to choose between loving God and loving others. In fact, to love God is to love humans. But God is still first, he is the most important thing.

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Anonymous #1 1d

For context, the verses I quoted, Matthew 22 34-40, are Jesus’ response to the question “which is the great commandment in the Law?” referring to the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. Jesus says “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Meaning most of the Old Testament, the foundation of Israelite law)

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Anonymous #1 20h

If you believe “to love god is to love humans”, then doesn’t that contradict your own initial point? I just think the fact that you felt the need to specify that “love thy neighbor” isn’t Jesus’s words or even his main message, but it was to love god, but loving god means loving humans… do you see where this is going? It’s just very silly that you felt called to specify that a message to discourage hate wasn’t Jesus’s, and then you go on to prove that actually this is a huge message for him.

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Anonymous OP 19h

“Those aren’t his words” as in he was quoting Exodus. I feel like you’re taking my words extremely literally? I mean love for others is a result of loving God. One follows the other, they aren’t one and the same. When someone asks “how do I love God?” The answer is “love your neighbor”. The only thing I’m saying is that Jesus’ main message, which was more important than anything else he said, and the reason he was on Earth, was to lead us to God.

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Anonymous OP 19h

I want to add that Jesus didn’t HAVE to spread love thy neighbor because that idea was already fundamental to Israelite society, given to Moses by God on Mt. Sinai. Jesus taught something even more radical: (these are actually his words) love your enemy, and pray for those who prosecute you. Forgive those who hurt you without limit. Give yourself up in service of those who betray you. It’s easy to love your friend, but it’s hard to love people who hate you.

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