The Bible says:"Love thy neighbor as thyself." Is it relevant nowadays?
By suryachalla
@suryachalla (1369)
India
November 1, 2006 4:21am CST
When I was a kid I used to really believe in this commandment very seriously, though I am not a christian. But times have changed and so have peoples views.What do you think?
4 responses
@shanmukutti (69)
• India
2 Nov 06
that's the most pragmatic way if one wants to have a peaceful atmosphere at home
1 person likes this
@suryachalla (1369)
• India
12 Jan 07
Sorry for the late comment. I was totally prevented from internet access due to various unfortunate reasons, and so couldn't give a spontaneous reply.
Anyway, what better time than the festive season of 'Sankranthi'?!
Shanmukutti, when I speak of 'neighbour'
I am talking of a person outside of your home. How does this person have anything to do with peace within your own home? One is external peace and the other is internal (domestic) in nature!
@oriental (1050)
• Uruguay
2 Nov 06
In languages derived from Latin the Bible commandment is expressed with a word different to neighbour (prossimo, prójimo, etc.), that has the meaning of a person near you. Not only one who lives next door, but one who is near you in a general sense.
In this broader sense, we always have people near us and we always should try not to do anything wrong to them.
@suryachalla (1369)
• India
12 Jan 07
That's excellent, Oriental! Actually this Biblical saying is very broad in meaning. It actually means that one should show care/concern for other's opinions/welfare. The other person need not necessarily be your neighbour; he may be your colleague or fellow traveller. Secondly, 'love' here does not mean real love. It means concern/consideration. In other words, this saying asks one to show 'empathy', which is always useful because we live in a frail human society, in which we need all the support we can get.
