Love There Is No World Religion That

¶ … Love There is no world religion that doesn't speak of and teach love, but each has its own approach to love. Christianity, for instance, distinguishes itself from all other religions as the one most emphasizing love.

The foremost symbol of Christianity is Christ on the cross, Christ as the incarnation of God, who loved us so much that He 'died for our sins.' The God who revealed himself on the Cross as the God of love demands love of God, of every neighbor, and of God's whole creation -- even our enemies.

This God descended into our world in order to save us: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3, 16). Jesus Christ is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1,29). One key scripture of Christianity is the parable of the Good Samaritan. Apparently an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. He asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life.

Jesus asked him what was written in the law and he replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." But he asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answered, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers..." The man was beaten and left half dead.

A priest passed by on the other side; so did a Levite; but a Samaritan took pity on him, bandaged him, took him to an inn and took care of him. So who was the neighbor? "The one who had mercy." This means that all human beings are our neighbors. (Luke 10,25-37) Other scriptures echo this sentiment. Judaism believes that all people have God's love, mercy and help. That includes non-Jews.

In general, Jewish thinkers have focused on the ideal of living a good life on Earth, improving this world, and has even stressed the natural fact of death as a way of giving life meaning. In Judaism, God is seen as ultimately just. In fact, justice is an important part of Jewish faith. Judaism, however, does not have a clear sense of a Heaven and a Hell.

Judaism strongly supports an ethic of reciprocity ("love they neighbor as thyself" and it is actually from this strand of Judaic thought that Christianity emerges. Confucianism is a much more regimented philosophy than Christianity or Judaism. It offers five moral rules.

"Affection should mark the relations between father and son; justice and righteousness should mark the relations between sovereign and subject; distinction should mark the relations between husband and wife; order should mark the relations between elder and younger brothers; trust should mark the relations among friends." These views were the basis for all human relationships. In Confucianism, the basis for all virtues is benevolence. That might be seen as a form of agape, a friendly form of love.

Confucius had a few simple prescriptions for life: love others, honor one's parents, do what is right instead of acting only for one's advantage, and practice reciprocity. Confucius advocated ruling by moral example rather than force and violence. A ruler who had to resort to force had already failed as a ruler. The ideal was benevolent rule. However, though Confucius taught both righteousness (yi) and love (ren), he emphasized duty over love.

A man named Mo Tzu ("Master Mo," or "Mozi") was an early critic of Confucius; he emphasized "mutual profitableness." His branch of religion became known as Mohism. Mutual love, according to Mo Tzu, produces mutual profit. In face, order is the ultimate manifestation of divine compassion. Heaven manifests its love upon all regardless, and Mozi emphasized impartial love for all humankind. Therefore, according to Mohism, people should love one another without discrimination. Common good arises from loving and profiting others.

Whereas Confucius' references to profit are mostly disparaging, Mohism was utilitarian in its emphasis. Mohism formulated China's first explicit ethical and political theories, and initiated philosophical debate in China. Mohist thought emphasizes an impartial concern for all, active opposition to military aggression and injury to others; condemnation of waste and luxury, and support for a centralized, authoritarian state led by a benevolent sovereign. Mohists assume that people are naturally motivated to do what they believe is right.

In fact, there is great reliance on the moral character of all of society. This will supposedly lead to common consensus, harmony and universal love. Hinduism calls itself a religion of love. Devotion in Hinduism is known as bhakti. It is an entire realm of knowledge and practice unto itself. Hinduism views existence as composed of three worlds.

The First World is the physical universe; the Second World is the subtle astral or mental plane of existence in which the devas, angels and spirits live; and the Third World is the spiritual sphere of the Mahadevas, the Deities and the Gods. Hinduism is the harmonious working together of these three worlds. In Hinduism these inner worlds naturally inspire love and devotion.

The radiation of love and light from divine beings is known as "darshan." Hindus devote their lives to their various Gods, and devotion to a Deity helps change an individual's life, even his past life and karma. The common bonds uniting all Hindus into a singular spiritual body are the laws of karma and dharma, the belief in reincarnation, various traditions, and the Hindu Gods. All these religions have relevance for today. They all consider themselves a doctrine of love, and base ethics on a basic concept.