What if we just loved one another? (Hypothetical? )

Well, not trying to start another atheist/believer argument here, but that is what Jesus told everyone to do.

I wouldn’t call Jesus a foolish dreamer, but sure seems like most people don’t buy that whole idea, even though it was his central tenet.

I think there are a lot of people who don’t care about each other, don’t care about harmony, wouldn’t “play by the rules” and would take advantage of others, take advantage of opportunities, might feel entitled, and it would soon the the mean and strong vs. the nice and weak. Not to equate meanness with strength and niceness with weakness, but it would be one side vs. the other side, very quickly, in my opinion.

I don’t have enough emotional fortitude to care about everyone. I have limited resources, both material and mental, and I absolutely prioritize who I spend those resources on.

If I cared about everyone equally, I would be quickly spent in all ways, and would be no good to anyone.

I don’t know about a fool’s dream, but I would certainly be a fool if I expected to witness such a thing. Love one another sounds admirable, but that word “all” renders the question a hurdle beyond my imagination. Jesus supposedly commands us to love everyone, and we all see just how that’s worked out with those who follow Him. Let’s face it. A great many of us are just plain unlovable, and others incapable of loving anyone.

Yes, it’s a fools dream. Did you ever see the movie Pollyanna?

The flaw in your theory is that people are people, not automatons.

Jesus goes further, telling us to do the impossible: To love our neighbor as ourselves.

Sorry, but slap come to tickle, and it’s between me and Mr. Rogers, he better hope Mr. McFeely is on his side.

That would be sickening & tiresome in equal measure, like an Amish Brady Bunch * shudders *

How about if we simply respect everyone, at least until that person has said or done something to lose respect? Blanket respect means treating people politely in casual interactions and not being abusive to fellow drivers. It isn’t possible to like everybody we encounter, but common courtesy’s a nice compromise.

It’s a beautiful world!

No it’s not a dream. I care about everyone, as do a lot of people I know. I think people basically do, and the problems tend to come from the various entrenched thinking around scarcity and competition, which could be unnecessary… but we probably have to break up several mind-sets first. Of course, we’re also going to need to do that in order to survive the other effects of that mindset – i.e. industrial planet destruction.

I’d rather just care about myself.

Caring about others doesn’t necessarily mean spending your money on them. Treating others the way you would like to be treated can be a good start.

@zenvelo I wouldn’t call Jesus a foolish dreamer, but sure seems like most people don’t buy that whole idea, even though it was his central tenet.
I would say Jesus was way more, but I have to Atta Boy you on the fact you mentioned not everyone (or certainly many) buy into it, even those who should because they call themselves His followers.

Dang, what is this world coming to, got a second Atta boy out of me in one year’s time span? One for the ages, mark it down folks.

@Seek Jesus goes further, telling us to do the impossible: To love our neighbor as ourselves.
Is it, or is it just impossible for those who do not have the faith to believe it or the method used to activate it?

The reason why it is a fool’s dream in a world that is just the world, is that some believe they have only one shot through this cracker barrel, so they do not have time to bother with that, they have to get all they can get, however they can get it, in any manner they can get it, because of they die not having gotten it, they never will; like having the game end on you when you still have timeouts on the board you could have used but missed the opportunity.

We need a variety of personalities like the need for genetic diversity. Some times we get it wrong but we learn and advance.