Changes

'''Love''' is one of the basic emotions, described as an extreme affection for a person, an object, an idea, a country, a friend or a family member. Love is used to describe affection for many different things, but can sometimes be misinterpreted for [[Lust]].

'''Love''' is one of the basic emotions, described as an extreme affection for a person, an object, an idea, a country, a friend or a family member. Love is used to describe affection for many different things, but can sometimes be misinterpreted for [[Lust]].

Many faiths, such as Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, etc., believe [[love]] to be a positive trait, and the followers of these religions are asked to practice love for others as a general principle for a good life.

Many faiths, such as Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, etc., believe '''love''' to be a positive trait, and the followers of these religions are asked to practice love for others as a general principle for a good life.

== The Five Grecian Forms ==

== The Five Grecian Forms ==

* [[Eros]] - carnal or sexual love. This would include [[romantic love]] but would also include [[lust]]. [[Eros]] is intended by God, as laid down in the Bible, to be enjoyed between a married man and woman. The Greek word ''epithumia'' spoke of desire that found its fulfillment in sexual love.<ref name="RealLove"/>

* [[Eros]] - carnal or sexual love. This would include [[romantic love]] but would also include [[lust]]. [[Eros]] is intended by God, as laid down in the Bible, to be enjoyed between a married man and woman. The Greek word ''epithumia'' spoke of desire that found its fulfillment in sexual love.<ref name="RealLove"/>

* [[Agape]] - love which seeks the highest good of others, not just friends, family or brothers, but including enemies.<ref> Matthew 5:44</ref> This is considered by all major world religions to be the highest kind of love, although [[Buddhism]] would regard it as [[compassion]]. ''Agape'' is most often used to speak of God's love and in the days of biblical times it described love in its most profound and pure form. Apostle Paul chose the word ''agape'' for his description of love in 1.Corinthians 13.<ref name="RealLove"/>

* [[Agape]] - love which seeks the highest good of others, not just friends, family or brothers, but including enemies.<ref>Matthew 5:44</ref> This is considered by all major world religions to be the highest kind of love, although [[Buddhism]] would regard it as [[compassion]]. ''Agape'' is most often used to speak of God's love and in the days of biblical times it described love in its most profound and pure form. Apostle Paul chose the word ''agape'' for his description of love in 1.Corinthians 13.<ref name="RealLove"/>

The fifth form of love is called [[Narcissism]], or self love. This word comes from the [[Greek myth]] of [[Narcissus]], who fell in love with his own reflection. Although [[Freud]] considered that everybody has some degree of narcissism, and that this is present in us from birth, <ref>Freud, Sigmund, On Narcissism: An Introduction, 1914</ref> if taken to extremes narcissism can be considered a [[personality disorder]].

The fifth form of love is called [[Narcissism]], or self love. This word comes from the [[Greek myth]] of [[Narcissus]], who fell in love with his own reflection. Although [[Freud]] considered that everybody has some degree of narcissism, and that this is present in us from birth,<ref>Freud, Sigmund, On Narcissism: An Introduction, 1914</ref> if taken to extremes narcissism can be considered a [[personality disorder]].

<ref>http://www.halcyon.com/jmashmun/npd/dsm-iv.html</ref>

<ref>http://www.halcyon.com/jmashmun/npd/dsm-iv.html</ref>

== Atheism and its inability to explain love ==

== Atheism and its inability to explain love ==

See also: [[Atheism and love]]

{{See also|Atheism and love}}

From a [[Metaphysics|metaphysical]], moral and spiritual perspective, [[atheism|atheists]] have an inability to satisfactorily explain the existence of [[love]].<ref>[http://www.strangenotions.com/atheists-love/ How do atheists define love?]</ref><ref>[https://atheistforum.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/what-is-love-how-materialist-atheism-fails-to-have-a-satisfactory-answer/ What is love? how materialist atheism fails to have a satisfactory answer], July 9, 2014</ref> See: [[Atheism and love]]

From a [[Metaphysics|metaphysical]], moral and spiritual perspective, [[atheism|atheists]] have an inability to satisfactorily explain the existence of love.<ref>[http://www.strangenotions.com/atheists-love/ How do atheists define love?]</ref><ref>[https://atheistforum.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/what-is-love-how-materialist-atheism-fails-to-have-a-satisfactory-answer/ What is love? how materialist atheism fails to have a satisfactory answer], July 9, 2014</ref> See: [[Atheism and love]]

==References==

==References==

* [[Essay:God's love]]

* [[Essay:God's love]]

[[category:religion]][[category:culture]][[category:philosophy]][[category:sociology]]

[[Category:Religion]][[Category:Culture]][[Category:Philosophy]][[Category:Sociology]]

[[category:emotions]]

[[Category:Emotions]]

[[Category:marriage]]

[[Category:Marriage]]

[[Category:Attributes of God]]

[[Category:Attributes of God]]