Happy Holidays

[kandrathe]

Hi,

The two commandment people... you know, love God, love your neighbors.

"Love"?

Enlightened self interest is sufficient and central to 'treat others as you would be treated'. It is the basis of all rational laws, of the social compacts that lead to non-oppressive government, indeed, of all the 'good' attributed to religion. The only love involved is love of self.

Or... selflessness. When not co-opted by power hungry megalomaniacs, the original concepts were a devoted communalism. It is not like, I actually "Love" my neighbors as I would my friends... But, I wouldn't let them suffer if I could help them. They are actually nice people, but we don't really hang out together much. I wouldn't do it because I believe there is something in it for me, like their gratitude, reciprocity, or even that warm feeling deep inside. I do it, just as I would for hungry birds on my back porch, or when I toss some corn cobs near the pines where the local deer herd beds down. I do it, because they need it and I don't. I know I am a part of a greater whole, and if everyone adopted the same "take care of each other" philosophy (by choice, not law) then the world would be a happier, nicer place. Here is where I'm heavily influenced by Eastern philosophies.

I can think of absolutely nothing that a love of god does. Indeed, I can't even understand what it means.

I know.