What does your faith or worldview have to say about compassion?

Deeje said:

As part of the sign of Jesus' presence and the conclusion of the present system of things, Jesus foretold....

Matthew 24:10-14.....
"Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. 13 But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. 14 And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

We are seeing a great shift away from love and compassion in this world, which seems to be diminishing with each passing decade.....because 'increasing lawlessness' makes people lose trust and withdraw into themselves. Where there is no trust, there can be no love.

When I was young the people who lived in our neighborhood were all part of a close knit community. We knew each other, helped each other, supported each other through hard times....welcomed our neighbors and their children into our homes....but now we live in a neighborhood where nobody knows anyone. Everyone just keeps to themselves....orbiting in their own little world.

According to Jesus it was going to happen, and it was going to require "endurance" on our part to live in such a loveless world. How can we show people love and compassion?...by sharing the "good news of God's Kingdom".....giving them hope of something better to come. The Bible says that humans cannot fix this mess...this world is broken beyond our capacity to repair it.

I believe that only God can restore the love that we have lost, by giving us back what we lost in Eden.
Revelation 21:2-4 is the end result....

"2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

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Yet we see many who bear the name ‘Christian’ who show little compassion and many who are not ‘Christian’ as exemplary models of what Christ taught. So by their fruits we know them (Matthew 7:16) and not everyone who professes to be Christian shall be saved (Matthew 25:31-46).

If we have Divine love in our hearts for God and humanity we will see the good in all people and experience the love from others, even strangers (Luke 10:25-37).

There is that issue of showing compassion to those that do not deserve compassion.

If such people never meet their deserve they may never, ever change for the better. And if they never see a better way they may not know of, who is to tell such people the better way.

So mercy is also an issue. Mercy is a form of compassion. I just watched a movie about mercy, "The Professor and The Madman". If people can and do repent, then it is wise to consider mercy.

By law we must let the punishment fit the crime. That is a necessity! But it would take a most perfect being to judge and condemn a person's very being with absolute finality. So i try to be merciful. But there are such heinous crimes of extreme evil, that it is impossible to feel merciful in such cases.

Nevertheless, on the hardest of issues, mercy, i defer judgment to a higher power. And the law will do what it must do if we make it as just as possible.

My conviction is that repentance can happen, so mercy is a worthwhile exercise. And i do sense that our human nature is very far from infallible so as to say that nobody is righteous. I know the christian claim that we are all sinners but i do not think all are sinners, but indeed no man is righteous. That is my point of view!

adrian009 said:

Yet we see many who bear the name ‘Christian’ who show little compassion and many who are not ‘Christian’ as exemplary models of what Christ taught. So by their fruits we know them (Matthew 7:16) and not everyone who professes to be Christian shall be saved (Matthew 25:31-46).

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Exactly....and we already know that this was foretold. It isn't about what you call yourself, but about how you show yourself to be a footstep follower of Christ in your daily life.

Since Jesus castigated the Pharisees for their erroneous teachings, we also need to believe the truth as it is taught through scripture. The only scripture authorized by God is the Bible. Nothing from outside of that scripture is acceptable to him, even though it may be acceptable to ourselves. God does not speak with a forked tongue....but the serpent does.

If we have Divine love in our hearts for God and humanity we will see the good in all people and experience the love from others, even strangers (Luke 10:25-37).

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It doesn't matter what we think of people as individuals as long as we show kindness and compassion towards them as Jesus did, offering them the way to life. It is God's will that all hear the "good news" and respond...one way or another. (2 Peter 3:9)

“A Time to Love and a Time to Hate” — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

As imitators of God and Christ, true Christians need to understand when it is “a time to love” and when it is “a time to hate.” Sentimentality can cause one’s view of love and mercy to become unbalanced. But the words of the disciple Jude can help us to keep the proper balance between showing mercy and hating sin: “Continue showing mercy to others, doing so with fear, while you hate even the inner garment that has been stained by the flesh.” (Jude 22, 23) We should therefore hate what is bad but not the person who does what is bad.

Christians are also commanded to show love for their enemies by doing good to them. “Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you,” said Jesus. (Matthew 5:44)" This precludes us from having any part of military training or action. You cannot love your enemy with a gun, a tank or a bomb.

We can't pick and choose what we find convenient....or sentimentally appealing....we have to follow through on it all of Christ's teachings if we want God's approval. That is how I see it.

Deeje said:

Exactly....and we already know that this was foretold. It isn't about what you call yourself, but about how you show yourself to be a footstep follower of Christ in your daily life.

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The point is that many who have grown up in Faith traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam reflect the same measure of compassion and virtue as Christians.

Deeje said:

Since Jesus castigated the Pharisees for their erroneous teachings, we also need to believe the truth as it is taught through scripture.

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The Pharisees believed they were following the Torah and had the truth. They saw Jesus as deviating from the truth of the Tanakh. Of course, Jesus emphasised the spirit of scripture rather than the letter of the law. Baha’is as you know believe Jesus was the Promised Jewish Messiah and the Gospels portray the truth that Jesus taught.

Deeje said:

The only scripture authorized by God is the Bible. Nothing from outside of that scripture is acceptable to him, even though it may be acceptable to ourselves. God does not speak with a forked tongue....but the serpent does.

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We are all entitled to our beliefs. I believe in this day it is unacceptable to believe in some of Gods Messengers and reject others. For me Muhammad is clearly a Messenger of God and the Quran is the authenticated respository of God’s Word. Same deal with the Bab and Bahá’u’lláh. However I accept as the Baha’i Faith is a relatively new religion, it’s less well known and so less clear. There is a clear and undeniable lineage of God’s Revelation through Moses, Christ and Muhammad. To be a lover of God’s light and to reject a large part of His Guidance is an irreconcilable contradiction. In the 21st century the writings and history of these three Abrahamic Faiths are readily accessible for most of us in the West.

Deeje said:

It doesn't matter what we think of people as individuals as long as we show kindness and compassion towards them as Jesus did, offering them the way to life. It is God's will that all hear the "good news" and respond...one way or another. (2 Peter 3:9)

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But it does matter what we think of people. If we think ill of others, see their faults and not their good qualities that is not genuine love.

Deeje said:

As imitators of God and Christ, true Christians need to understand when it is “a time to love” and when it is “a time to hate.” Sentimentality can cause one’s view of love and mercy to become unbalanced. But the words of the disciple Jude can help us to keep the proper balance between showing mercy and hating sin: “Continue showing mercy to others, doing so with fear, while you hate even the inner garment that has been stained by the flesh.” (Jude 22, 23) We should therefore hate what is bad but not the person who does what is bad.

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That line of reasoning could easily become a justification for hating and not loving others.

Deeje said:

Christians are also commanded to show love for their enemies by doing good to them. “Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you,” said Jesus. (Matthew 5:44)" This precludes us from having any part of military training or action. You cannot love your enemy with a gun, a tank or a bomb.

We can't pick and choose what we find convenient....or sentimentally appealing....we have to follow through on it all of Christ's teachings if we want God's approval. That is how I see it.

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The issue of military service is a complex one. Baha’is will request to be exempt from military service as a matter of conscience. If denied we will apply for a non combative position such as medical services. If the government refuses we are obligated to serve our country in the armed forces like everyone else.

As you embrace your JW beliefs, I follow Bahá’u’lláh’s Guidance. Thanks for your post.

Samana Johann said:

How can compassion ever be foolish? Given that compassion = act-ually wisdom and aiciversa... Where is not the right place for such? Maybe a proper action of compassion might be not seen. Even to withdraw from a place can be based of huge compassion, Brahman Aupmanyav. Actually such is the highest compassion, to leave all behind what is not ones own.

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"And the Blessed One said: "The Tathagata is like unto a powerful king who rules his kingdom with righteousness, but being attacked by envious enemies goes out to wage war against his foes. When the king sees his soldiers fight he is delighted with their gallantry and will bestow upon them donations of all kinds. Ye are the soldiers of the Tathagata, while Mara, the Evil One, is the enemy who must be conquered. And the Tathagata will give to his soldiers the city of Nirvana, the great capital of the good law. And when the enemy is overcome, the Dharma-raja, the great king of truth, will bestow upon all his disciples the most precious crown which jewel brings perfect enlightenment, supreme wisdom, and undisturbed peace."

Think of compassion in relation to Hitlers, Stalins, Maos, Pol Pots, Osamas, Saddams, Gadaffis, Caliph Ibrahims of the world. There comes a time when violence (to oppressors) is compassion (to the sufferers). Of course, all of them, without any exception, were none other than Brahman. We cannot float on clouds, our feet must be securely on the ground.

Being the highest fest today, birth, awakening and Mahaparinibbana day of the Sublime Buddha, day of highest compassion....

Aupmanyav said:

"A..

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Out of compassion: total confused Brahman, because moderators here do not even feel responsible to do not nurish harmful: Householder does not only produce a lot of demerits in missinterprating and consciouly lie in regard of the Sublime Buddha (such cause long term harm for oneself and many, saying that he approves harm and even slayering, but also deprives himself from what ever Brahma or wise by citing fools as Gods.

In all forms housholder has presented what compassion of fools can cause. It's the most compassionate action to leave quickly places and people who actually have no capacities for grow into good and little wisdom.

Not only you would rightly have certain bigger legal problems in areas where some wisdom is left, but also those nurishing such.

All my person can say here, who ever is capable, stay away from people without fundamental virtue but selling foolishness and poision calling it compassion, calling it religious.

Understand it or not, consider yourself as being avoided, out of compassion. May you give causes to find the way to real happiness for yourself with ease.

And it's probably right if one says follish to return another time to just let it be known, they would not change their ways anyway.

adrian009 said:

The point is that many who have grown up in Faith traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam reflect the same measure of compassion and virtue as Christians.



The Pharisees believed they were following the Torah and had the truth. They saw Jesus as deviating from the truth of the Tanakh. Of course, Jesus emphasised the spirit of scripture rather than the letter of the law. Baha’is as you know believe Jesus was the Promised Jewish Messiah and the Gospels portray the truth that Jesus taught.


We are all entitled to our beliefs. I believe in this day it is unacceptable to believe in some of Gods Messengers and reject others. For me Muhammad is clearly a Messenger of God and the Quran is the authenticated respository of God’s Word. Same deal with the Bab and Bahá’u’lláh. However I accept as the Baha’i Faith is a relatively new religion, it’s less well known and so less clear. There is a clear and undeniable lineage of God’s Revelation through Moses, Christ and Muhammad. To be a lover of God’s light and to reject a large part of His Guidance is an irreconcilable contradiction. In the 21st century the writings and history of these three Abrahamic Faiths are readily accessible for most of us in the West.


But it does matter what we think of people. If we think ill of others, see their faults and not their good qualities that is not genuine love.



That line of reasoning could easily become a justification for hating and not loving others.



The issue of military service is a complex one. Baha’is will request to be exempt from military service as a matter of conscience. If denied we will apply for a non combative position such as medical services. If the government refuses we are obligated to serve our country in the armed forces like everyone else.

As you embrace your JW beliefs, I follow Bahá’u’lláh’s Guidance. Thanks for your post.

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You are a compelling figure.

adrian009 said:

To be a lover of God’s light and to reject a large part of His Guidance is an irreconcilable contradiction.

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This is the strongest NT point I have ever heard a Bahai make to a Christian. It directly alludes to the imagery in James. I think that James would not question whether God had spoken to Muslims or the Bab or not and would say not to judge them. This scripture is not enough to convince anyone of anything, but might help in certain situations to ease judgment. I feel compassion is what will let Christians get over pre judgement. I feel that in modern times Bible study is a lot like a weight lifter that has done nothing but strengthen the pecs while ignoring the abs, so there are all kinds of studies about certain things but not others. James is in the abs, and the abs get ignored. We have the lifter and the will to be strong, and what we need are probably just more variety in exercises. Then maybe more will indeed trust God to shine down. Compassion is very important in Christianity, and a small amount of compassion is the key to opening the door to more compassion. Its like a little door built into a city gate.

Buddha Purnima in India (most people will be Hindus, it is a day of fasting for my wife, it being a Purnima):

Samana Johann said:

It's the most compassionate action to leave quickly places and people who actually have no capacities for grow into good and little wisdom.

All my person can say here, who ever is capable, stay away from people without fundamental virtue but selling foolishness and poison calling it compassion, calling it religious.

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That is escapism, Brahman. Some things have to be faced and leaving is not a solution for all. Where to would you leave? There are ignorant people everywhere in the world. We need not have anger, we need not have hate, we need not be vindictive; but still when the body needs it, surgery has to be applied. That is what Krishna (for Hindus, the avatara prior to Lord Buddha) said in Geeta:

"Yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi, saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya;
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā, samatvaṁ yoga ucyate."

Synonyms: yoga-sthaḥ — equipoised; kuru — perform; karmāṇi — your duties; saṅgam — attachment; tyaktvā — giving up; dhanam-jaya — O Arjuna; siddhi-asiddhyoḥ — in success and failure; samaḥ — equipoised; bhūtvā — becoming; samatvam — equanimity; yogaḥ — yoga; ucyate — is called.

Translation: Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment, considering success or failure to be the same, (such) equanimity is called yoga.

adrian009 said:

Yet we see many who bear the name ‘Christian’ who show little compassion and many who are not ‘Christian’ as exemplary models of what Christ taught. So by their fruits we know them (Matthew 7:16) and not everyone who professes to be Christian shall be saved (Matthew 25:31-46).

If we have Divine love in our hearts for God and humanity we will see the good in all people and experience the love from others, even strangers (Luke 10:25-37).

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Yeah, I figured this question was just the means to start belittling Christians.

In my worldview it is pragmatic. You are to be compassionate to those you can be compassionate to and it is not pragmatic to be compassionate to everyone. Taoism is like that. Compassion has its limits.

Not much as a matter of fact. My personal take on it through experience is that it is simply bad but I grew around scum my whole life so oh well. I think compassion is something cultivated through association with people of a higher social character. Compassion seems inherently fundamental in social cohesion and helps promote growth but compassion also has flaws.

This is where racism, bigotry and defensiveness in attitudes come into play as these are also equally fundamental for survival and help people of all walks of life understand how to formulate proper associations that do not hinder their goals, interest or survival. To these people it is necessary and this makes up all of us which is why societal struggles do not fade and aren't meant to. Coming to grips with evil is much more prosperous to trying to vanquish it, this hopeless is incoherent in the shadows of history.

adrian009 said:

Compassion appears to be a virtue or human quality extolled in most religions.

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Well, I certainly agree that most religions claim it to be a virtue.
But at the same time many of those religions also say things that kind of rapes that virtue...
In many cases, this "compassion" gets a kind of...euh... strange interpretation.

Where's the compassion for example, in killing homosexuals for being gay?
Or keeping slaves?
Or chopping off hands and feet from a hungy person because (s)he stole food?

It involves empathetic concern for the plight of others. It may extend to family and friends or extend across all boundaries to strangers of other cultures and beings we share the planet with.

Does our faith or worldview make us more compassionate and if so how? What is it that distinguishes the compassion we express from those with differing world views? How can our faith be seen as special beyond others if we have little or no love and compassion for those around us?

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I say compassion / empathy is a basic human emotion and quite fundamental in running a cooperative society.
To pass on that, is to pass on humanity.

It's one of those things that defines us as a social species.

In my understanding Compassion is to be able to see behind the suffering of cause and effect. And to forgive those who harm you. Having empathy for other human beings. And be able to give unconditional of you self to others.

TagliatelliMonster said:

I say compassion / empathy is a basic human emotion

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Compassion isn't an emotion, it is an action

adrian009 said:

Compassion appears to be a virtue or human quality extolled in most religions. It involves empathetic concern for the plight of others. It may extend to family and friends or extend across all boundaries to strangers of other cultures and beings we share the planet with.

Does our faith or worldview make us more compassionate and if so how? What is it that distinguishes the compassion we express from those with differing world views? How can our faith be seen as special beyond others if we have little or no love and compassion for those around us?

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Compassion is not so good as a blanket virtue. Sometimes compassion carries a large stick, sometimes not , as you pay attention to the way things actually work.

It would be interesting to note that the etymology of compassion is from Latin basically meaning 'suffer with'.

Nowhere Man said:

Compassion is not so good as a blanket virtue. Sometimes compassion carries a large stick, sometimes not , as you pay attention to the way things actually work.

It would be interesting to note that the etymology of compassion is from Latin basically meaning 'suffer with'.

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Compassion in my experience can be both an attitude and an action. We can appreciate another’s plight or circumstances but it is not always wise nor prudent to act. Other times in alleviating the suffering through karma of another we impede their progress.

The Reverend Bob said:

Compassion isn't an emotion, it is an action

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Owkay.
Let's call it a "trait".

Either way, seems like semantics.
Doesn't really change my point.