I think one of the more horrible teachings is that people who don't believe the way you do are incapable of true love. It dehumanizes others and that makes it easier to commit injustice.
For this reason, those quotes of John are, I believe, supremely immoral.
From what I have seen, it is that people *care* about others that religion is so often rejected. All too often, religions come across as hateful and full of condemnation instead of loving and caring. That is a very good reason to reject those religions.
I believe you are confusing affection with love.
If you contend that they are the same, then we need to define them. I'll be happy to hear how you define them.
It would be nice to hear your view on perfect love. Even if not perfect, what would be love that is worthy of everyone having.
Though you don't agree, affection is a natural product of man. We normally have affection.
It can, and has been diminishing, being replaced by selfishness and other negative traits.
Love is a quality that encompasses so much, which many don't even consider.
They think they have love, because they think love is what they determine love to be, but that's not love.
The Bible says, there exist a way thet seems right to a man, but the ways of death are the end of it, or the result.
To give an example, caring about one's neighbor takes a back seat to those who want to smoke a cigar... next to someone, or with a growing fetus in their midsection.
They even cry, "Its my body. I can do whatever I want with my body."... while being happy to end a developing life.
Love?
Whether you want to accept it or not, love is of, and from God. Only by knowing God, can one truly have love.
While it is true one can grow in love, they need to work at perfecting love.
Even I am working at that.
We only have a measure, and this too is a product of man. All of us are born with God's attributes within us. Only they are not our dominant attitudes, but we have the potential.
Let me illustrate what I mean by that.
A person may say, they are humble, but are they really?
While they may have a measure of humility, that doesn't make them humble.
For example, they may help an old lady across the road, or open the door for someone about to enter a store, but they may not be teachable, or willing to accept counsel, or correction.
They are not humble.
Likewise, the same with love.
Everyone has the potential, but one needs to learn what love is, and what it involves.
Would you like to learn? You don't agree though.
With regard to John 13:35, we are considering data - evidence... something scientists are interested in.
If we find a people on earth who fit the mark Jesus gave, then we know that they are Jesus disciple, which would prove, not just that Jesus words are true, but it would prove the other statement of John, and others - God is love. Love is from God.