Which love is the better love?

[Jayda]

I recently attended a lecture in which this question was asked. The question is..."Which is the better love, to lay down your life for family and friends, or to lay down your life for someone you don't know?"

I posted this in the comparative religion section because I'm not sure where else to post it, plus it would be interested to hear people's views on the matter.

The man who gave the lecture was trying to make the point that Western civilization, going back to the fall of the Roman Empire and the introduction of Christianity, saw a dynamic change in what was more noble. Before it was considered more noble to defend family, friends, and community, but after the rise of Christianity, it became more noble to defend those whom you have never met. I found this to be fascinating, and I can't really give his presentation justice. His basic thesis was that it is "unnatural" to value those whom you have never met above family and friends, but that Western civilization, and to some extent the world, has seen this change in what is considered noble. The end result being that traditional family structures, community structures, and the concept of "shame" have been in decay for hundreds of years in the West.

Just for the sake of discussion, which do you believe is the more noble pursuit? To lay down one's life for your family, friends, community?..or for somebody you have never met? Is there a difference between Christianity and Islam on this matter?

hola

the Lord said that there was no greater love than to lay down ones life for their friends... so that is what i believe. i do not know what islam says on the matter so i do not know if there is a difference.

que Dios te bendiga

 

[al-muslimah]

Just for the sake of discussion, which do you believe is the more noble pursuit? To lay down one's life for your family, friends, community?..or for somebody you have never met? Is there a difference between Christianity and Islam on this matter?

My ummah is more dear to me than anything and yes I would sacrifice all that I can for this ummah which includes my family and friends in all the muslims in everywhere.Why not Allah has ordered us to sacrifice all that we can for him and it means the ummah anyone who runs away from this is a fool(jahil).

There is a big differnce in christianity( paul's religion not jesus) and Islam.BIG.

 

[kelamsa]

I guess family. No matter what, in a situation like that (under pressure and extremely emotional) i would go for the people with whom I've spent so much time...

 

[Qurratul Ayn]

Peace

In my opnion, I would say that love is greater for family and close, trusted and loyal friends (there aren't many opf those nowadays, I think) rather than those you have never met.

Although you may love others that you don't know as they are of your religion (if you want to) or all those innocent people that have died in wars for no fault or reason of their own, regardless of race or colour or religion, and just because of some arrogant and deluded people had made a decison of going to war, and you may have a certain love for them and grieve for them (If you want to)

But in my opinion the love for family and close, trusted and loyal friends is greater.

Peace to all

 

[Grace Seeker]

There is a big differnce in christianity( paul's religion not jesus) and Islam.BIG.

The question was not if there is a difference between Christianity and Islam, I think that is well recognized or there wouldn't be conflict between them.

The question was if there was a difference between Islam and Christianity on this particular issue. As you indicated you would lay down you life for the Ummah and in Christianity (John's account of Jesus' teaching not Paul's) we are taught Jesus said: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.", do you believe there is a BIG difference between these two views?

 

[Malaikah]

For me it is family first. Always.