"No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself."
- Sunan (Islamic tradition)

I just read that, and of all the quotes on the page I found that one most striking. It was prefaced by "just another version of the golden rule"...but i think it is much stronger than the golden rule. It takes a rule, and it translates the action, the attitude being taught into the effect it will have on the enriched believer. And it shows the relationship between action/attitude and one's self to be just as close and important as I think it really is. It kinda reminds me of that dittie "and they will know we are christians by our love, by our love"-- yeah I always liked that one. Cuz it wasnt "by our obedience" or "by our righteousness", but "by our love". and afterall isn't that the right way to live?

I sure hope so. Cuz it sure isnt the easiest.

More often than not I've failed at this. It requires just the right balance... because its not loving someone more than yourself- not really anyway. It requires loving someone the way you love yourself. It's not self-depricating in any way. I think the golden rule that I grew up with always had that ring of servitude in it by listing loving yourself last... they definately stressed loving god more than anything... as if in real life there should be different degrees to which you love things.

I don't think thats real. I think you should love yourself with all your heart and all your soul and all your might just like that prayer says you should love god. i think you shouldnt love god more than you love me. i guess thats the bottom line really. every last one of you should love me as much as you love god. and i should love myself that much too. because if you loved me as much as that prayer says you should love god... well then there wouldnt be war, or hate, or anything but goodness and by damn if that doesnt translate into loving god with all your heart and soul and might than i dont know what the hell anybody cherishes that prayer for, cuz it seems to me like you and I are the ones in need of the great loving.

alright well i think i may have turned into my father for a few minutes there, though I can't claim to have done it as eloquently as he. anyway, too much heavy thought for the night and now i'm off. goodnight all.