Please help me with this. Questions about love.

[Eclecticsaturn]

(i hope this is in the right section)


Ok i was having a "discussion" with my christian wife and she made a good point. Not one to prove the bible or god, but in general. Maybe you guys can help with this because i was stumped. The conversion started off as saying (and of course this is shortened and paraphrased)

Me: there is no god.
Her: yes there is
M: your god is based on faith. and your faith is a belief
H: Do u believe in love?
M: yes but that is a feeling
H: well how do you prove your feeling? You cant, its just there.
Me: damn, good point (lol)

I mean ultamitly, there must be a scientic explination on to how feeling are made and triggered by neurons and such. But how would YOU answer this question? I know Its under the same catigory as, "you dont see air but you know its there" arguement. I also realize that that proves NOTHING on their part and more of the, "if you cant explain it it MUST be god" theory they have. Just curious to how any of you would respond to this either scientifly or in general. Thanks.

[Squid]

I just happened to write a short paper on it not too long ago, maybe it can help answer some questions and give you some avenues for further research:

Here's the page on my site that it's at:

http://www.atheistcoalition.com/essays2.htm

And a direct link to the pdf:

http://www.atheistcoalition.com/overbyc_files/Theories%20of%20Love.pdf

I start with psychological concepts and then begin talking about biological aspects about halfway through.

[donkeyhoty]

It sounds like her acknowledgement that you can't prove love, "it's just there" is admittance that there is no proof for god, or at least her god.

Choose one of the ancient gods/godesses of love, and restart the discussion with your postition being that of Venus(or whichever) creating the feeling that is love.  She can't prove otherwise, it's just there.  

And then, sacrifice a goat to show her you mean business.

[McQ]

I just happened to write a short paper on it not too long ago, maybe it can help answer some questions and give you some avenues for further research:

Here's the page on my site that it's at:

http://www.atheistcoalition.com/essays2.htm

And a direct link to the pdf:

http://www.atheistcoalition.com/overbyc_files/Theories%20of%20Love.pdf

I start with psychological concepts and then begin talking about biological aspects about halfway through.

Isn't it great when you just happen to have exactly what someone needs?  

That's a very good paper, Squid. I hope you don't mind, but I saved a copy on my 'puter to reference.

[Squid]

I just happened to write a short paper on it not too long ago, maybe it can help answer some questions and give you some avenues for further research:

Here's the page on my site that it's at:

http://www.atheistcoalition.com/essays2.htm

And a direct link to the pdf:

http://www.atheistcoalition.com/overbyc_files/Theories%20of%20Love.pdf

I start with psychological concepts and then begin talking about biological aspects about halfway through.

Isn't it great when you just happen to have exactly what someone needs?  

[Eclecticsaturn]

And then, sacrifice a goat to show her you mean business.

       lmao. that was funny.

veeeeery long essay but well written. Thanks.

[Squid]

veeeeery long essay but well written. Thanks.

Glad I could help.

[User192021]

Looks like Squid's got this one covered, but I just thought it was worth mentioning that it's pretty cool you can have these sorts of debates with your wife without it getting ugly (I'm assuming it doesn't get too ugly since she's still your wife).

The more conversations I have with Christians the more difficult I find them to deal with.  I've taken a break for fear of reaching a point of hopelessness and giving up on the task of forcing Christians to think.

[Big Mac]

Pish-posh, there is no such thing as love. It's your brain rationalizing your emotions. Just like when you have hatred and it keeps you warm.

[Johnny5]

Sounds like an interesting discussion you had with your wife, Electric S.

At least she brought up love and not morality -- that one tends to be an even bigger problem.   :?

[Eclecticsaturn]

well morality and ethics arent really emotions but more like guidlines or "rules" if you will, that society (and such) have made. Theyve been embebed (much like religion) into our subconcious and because they make more sense than religion we choose to go off of them , for the most, without really questioning them because ultimatly , for me, theres real no reason to question "ethics and morals".

[Johnny5]

Well, if I slaughter all the children in my neighborhood -- would you say that I have done a good thing or a bad thing?  

[Eclecticsaturn]

in my eyes and according to my ethics and morals that would be pretty damn bad. I can tell you that i definatly wouldnt do it.

[donkeyhoty]

Johnny5, if those kids tend to hang out in corn fields and one of them is named Malachai, then by all means, take them suckas out.

[Eclecticsaturn]

:badgrin:  :badgrin:  :badgrin: