Unconditional love?

[Shadowsong]

Do you think the Gods love us unconditionally? I mean, like how the Christians think their God does. Even if we screw up, even if we lose our faith and then return to Them, do you believe They still love us?
Just something that crossed my mind when I was meditating today. :bouncysmi
Shadow

[Gnoblod]

I would gather it depends on the gods in question.

[Chibi-Fallon]

Yeah I think it depends on the Gods, some of them are fickle.

[Gypsy flower]

agreed it depends on whom and what you have {or havent} done! :heyalove:

[Mithrea]

*Do* Christians believe that God loves them unconditionally?

[Toby Stimpson]

They would certainly make out that at tiems he doesn't love them unconditionally...but generally my view is that the superspirit that (if you follow a pantheistic view) is an all loving being. Personalities may be fickle, or cruel, or unloving...but what is beneath them, above them and so on loves without condition. I wonder though if it is a mirror effect, the more we love without condition...the more our Gods love us for it, for it is a mark orf devotion? like a marriage or a relationship...is it easier for Gods to love those who love unconditionally than those who love wanting soemthing?

Tobias

[Fr. INRI]

I agree with those who say it depends on the deity. For example, I would imagine Kwan Yin's love to be fairly unconditional, while I imagine someone like Set's affection, once earned, would be easily lost.

[Bix]

What gods does everything think would love you unconditionally? The first deity that comes to mind for me is Aphrodite.

[OpenHands]

Shadowsong,

I don't really view my gods as beings who love me unconditionally. Most probably don't pay me any attention, much less care. The ones who do- I'm not sure that love even fits into the equation. Maybe, but it doesn't seem like it's a warm and fuzzy sort of thing for the most part.

My experience thusfar has been that when I screw up, I get the silent treatment until I fix my mistakes and do things right.

[argento_occhi]

I like to think They do. Sebek seems fond of any sort of attention, which is odd as I've heard He's very picky about who He chooses. I do think some are more strict about it than others, but I think it all boils down to what They ask of you, individually, and what your relationship is.

Argent

[Meadhbh]

Like its been said it really depends on the god in question. Gods that would love you uncondtionally? Lets see, I'm thinking mother type deities Brighid, Danu ect. Though even some of them are iffy, I think Epona for example may be a bit more fickle than some.

[aluokaloo]

I believe that they do, not all Gods, but more specifically an individual's Gods. Some might give it more easily then others though.

[Renny]

I feel that my gods don't care much unless I reach out to them and earn their respect... but maybe some like Frigga might love me anyway, I always sense her as being warm and motherly and capable of unconditional love.

[Shadowsong]

Interesting points all. I think... from my own personal stand point... all deities are capable of love in some sene--now whether it's unconditional or not is up to Them. I've noticed with the two deities in my life right now there is sharp contrast between the two of Them--from one I sense more of an "Open arms, I'm here if you need Me" kind of energy, the other is more, "You fix it, then I'm here."
Quite interesting. Thanks again for you're input! :)

Shadow

[Agaliha]

I voted for it depends.

After my confusion with my faith I have finally became clear what my beliefs are [and they are not what they were before] and I accept them now. I'm not going to go into the details here though.

I think it's the belief that counts-- if you believe deep down that your dieties are there and love you then they are and will...especially if you already have that close bond with them anyway.
I just think it's all in how we think, view, understand and see the Gods that determines things like this.

[WinterTree]

I picked that it depends. I think the Gods have a general love for us, in the way parents have a general love for their children, but whether they love us unconditionally is up to them.

[EternalMaiden]

I picked it depends on the God, and what the person did.

Certain Gods would stand for things another wouldn't.

Like, one god would let you die while the other would let you live as an ant for your indescretions.

[Annyka]

I said it depends - on which deity and also what you have done.

[Clytemnestra]

I replied that it depends...
I suppose different gods for different elements would have different responses.
Loki doesn't seem like the unconditional loving type...

[Isischild]

It depends on the God/Goddess. I think for the most part they would love us unconditionally even if we have gotten slack in our devotion. However, some are fickle.
I think it's also important to note that unlike the god of the christians, most all of the Gods/Goddesses of the pagan religions or spirituality are not jealous. At least that's been my experience. (Having come from the dark side read: fundimental christianity, as well).

Isischild

[Incendia]

I have a hard polytheistic view of the world and with that said, I agree with many of you and feel that it depends on the god. Some, depending on their personalities, seem to be a lot more loving than others. However, I ended up putting unsure, because I don't know if they're capable of unconditional love. A lot of Christians that I've encountered seem to think that their god is. I wonder if that's true? If that is so, then other gods must be capable too.

[Stormie]

if they can love...yes

[Cyzarine]

I think so.

[Ishtara]

I think so too... :hearthear

[zede]

i think we are sort of like pets to them only different . and any good pet owner loves thier pet even when it does something to work thier very last nerve . you might get mad you might even punish but at the end of the day they are right back in your arms

[Crystal Raven]

I said yes, as in once you know them/have a relationship with them...
I see The Lady in particular, as a Mother kinda figure...loves you unconditionally, but may very well get angry, frustrated, not like something you have done, but still loves you

[Philosophia]

I voted "It depends"
Not every single God/Goddess is going to be nice and sweet, and they all don't love unconditionally.

[Mouse]

I'm duothesic (sp), and I believe that Godde does not love unconditionally. I think we must earn their respect, protection and love.

And even if they do love us unconditionally, that doesn't nessisarily mean they like us.

[star_belfire]

As far as it goes with the roman panthion, cause thats the one I work with, if you are talking about for example Venus or Cupid then more than likly yes but if your talk about Mars or Pluto then probably not.

But don't get me wrong its not alway going to work out that way. If you piss a god or goddess off they arn't going to love you very much. you must treat them respectfully.

[morningstar2651]

Do you think the Gods love us unconditionally? I mean, like how the Christians think their God does. Even if we screw up, even if we lose our faith and then return to Them, do you believe They still love us?
Just something that crossed my mind when I was meditating today. :bouncysmi
Shadow
"It depends" is a bit of a redundant answer. It is the equivolent of conditional love.

[Platinum Dove]

I would say it depends on the deity in question.

[RainInanna]

It also depends on what you mean by love. Brotherly love, motherly love, love as from a lover, love as for your pet?

I tend to think love is ma'at - justice, organization, the right way, balance, ultimately that which is the best for all. Sometimes this requires a lot of chaos, anger, and destruction. For example, certain plants can only grow after a forest fire. In a way I think love is life - living things thriving and evolving, and we participate in it by trying to live harmoniously and growing.

I don't necessarily think the Gods exist independently from us or as individuals. Generally I consider them aspects of ourselves and the universe. So we are God and God is life and life is love. If that makes any sense ;)

[Rosalie]

Depends on the God, I suppose. But I'd say there's always a bond that you can't truly break no matter how hard you try.

[RunningRiot]

I believe in different deities.. I think some may love unconditionally, but I believe some others don't!

[Akir]

I believe it does depend on which God or Goddess is in question but overall... I do believe they love us no matter what. They can get really pissed off and smack some sence into us but after they calm down... they still care. If they didn't they wouldn't waste their time on us to help us grow.

[FaeFollower]

I have thought about this often...I suppose that it depends on which deities, or perhaps which pantheon, you are talking about. In general, I don't think that the word 'god' is synonomous with unconditional love. I am drawn to the belief that one must work for a god's affection.

Beyond that, I have wondered if dieties are even capable of love. Sometimes I feel a certain detatchment between myself and my gods, as though we (that is, mortals) are little more than an ant farm to them. So I really don't know. _inabox_

[Amber Wynd]

Depends on the God, I suppose. But I'd say there's always a bond that you can't truly break no matter how hard you try.
This sums up how I feel about Eris. I didn't set out to choose her and even tried to escape her notice and that didn't work. Now that we've accepted one another, there's no way to break the bond, even if I wanted to do so. I do believe she loves me (in her own way) but that doesn't mean she's going to go easy on me or let me get away with any of my crap or protect me from my mistakes.

Unless she feels like it.

[Little Billy]

It is my firm belief that ALL Gods are utterly hostile.

But that's just me talking.

[morningstar2651]

It is my firm belief that ALL Gods are utterly hostile.

But that's just me talking.
Why do you believe that?

[morningstar2651]

"Perfect Love and Perfect Trust"

You may have heard that line before.

However, Perfect Love and Perfect Trust are not blind.

Dorothy Morrison's The Craft (http://www.mysticwicks.com/shop/shop.php?c=Books&n=1000&i=1567184464&x=Craft) has some important related information. Here is the relevant excerpt (http://print.google.com/print?id=0JkJYAOui9oC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=Unconditional+Love+Versus+Perfect+Love,+Perfect+Trust,+and+Harm+None&prev=http://books.google.com/books%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bcraft&sig=QnxujGEBN-k4Tz8gFRWdvmfCuz4).

[Yasmine Galenorn]

Do you think the Gods love us unconditionally? I mean, like how the Christians think their God does. Even if we screw up, even if we lose our faith and then return to Them, do you believe They still love us?
Just something that crossed my mind when I was meditating today. :bouncysmi
Shadow

I don't believe so, nor would I expect it. I do know that my own Lady is patient with me, she knows I'm human, but I get my hands slapped when I don't listen enough and I don't blame her. If I'm her priestess, I need to act the part and not get too sloppy.

Yasmine :colorful:

[Kendrah]

Do you think the Gods love us unconditionally? I mean, like how the Christians think their God does. Even if we screw up, even if we lose our faith and then return to Them, do you believe They still love us?
Just something that crossed my mind when I was meditating today. :bouncysmi
Shadow

I don't believe so. We are tools. If we give up working with them then they find another willing monkey to do their bidding.