Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: allenroy@cs.pdx.edu (callen roy) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: the love that is forced Message-ID: Date: 15 Jun 91 05:32:34 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 26 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu henning@acsu.buffalo.edu (Karl jam Henning) writes: >Love cannot be forced (by the lovee). >When I love someone, and that person does not return my love, >I have to accept that situation. It is not necessary for me >to respond vindictively to the person who (for whatever >reason) cannot, or chooses not to, reciprocate my affection. >Is god prepared to be that selfless and big-hearted? One of the biggest falicies that is rampant in the Christian community is the idea that God will punish forever, those who were silly enough to not choose to 'love' Him. God is more selfless and big-hearted than any of us. God allow us to choose to love Him or choose to reject Him. The problem with rejecting Him is that He is the source of life. No one can exist without a connection to the source. If we, like a Deep Sea diver, were to cut our 'umbelical cord' to the surface, we would die. By choosing to reject the Love and Life of God we cease to exist. Death, not eternally life (in 'Hell'), is the reward--result--of sin. God want's us to love and trust Him. That takes time to do, so we are still alive, though doomed to death, for our chance to make up our minds--eternal life in love with God, or complete non-existance without end. Allen Roy God loves you. All He wants is for you to love Him back.