Love in every major religion
Love is universal, a constant across all differences found between humans. But to each faith it is different, with views varying widely between traditions. Let’s explore all the ways love is described and portrayed in the perspective of six major world religions, whether the love is romantic, platonic, or divine.
Christianity. The Christian Bible speaks directly of two different forms of love (although more may be interpreted): Philia and Agape. Philia is described as brotherly love. It is a love that is found between neighbors, friends, family, and demonstrated to strangers. Agape is a divine love. It is considered to be an unconditional, and selfless love from God to mankind. Within Christianity there is a large emphasis on this spiritual love.
Judaism. In Judaism, the fundamental forms of love are the love of God, neighbor and strangers. One of the core commandments of Judaism is “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This commandment stands at the center of the central book in the Torah. To discuss love is also to discuss giving to those whom you love. The act of giving increases and produces love. However, the love of God is considered to be the truest form of love, and all other loves are a motivation to love God more. Romantic love is included in the command to love one’s neighbor, but romantic love itself is not a central theme in Jewish sacred texts.
Islam. Islamic sacred texts describe two major forms of love, one being divine love and the other human love. Divine love is the love of God as well as the love people hold for God. Through this love comes human love, which is considered to be a comprehensive love to all creations of God, from insects to humans, with particular emphasis between humans such as strangers, friends, family, and romantic partners.
Hinduism. In Hinduism, there are considered to be five stages of love: Atma Prema, Bhakti, Maitri, Shringara, and Kama. Atma Prema is a form of self love that is cultivated through loving others. The more one pours love out the more love returns to them (this is based on the ideal that all are one.) Bhakti is a love that extends to all of creation and further connects to the love of God. Maitri is considered to be a compassionate love that exists through kindness for all. Shringara is a romantic love, specifically the intimacy found between romantic partners. Finally, Kama is a love stirred by attraction and sexual desire.
Buddhism. Buddhism has four elements of what is considered to be true love. Maitri, Karuna, Mudita, and Upeksha. Just like in Hinduism, Maitri is a form of love born through acts of kindness. Karuna is a compassionate love that focuses on the ability to understand one another and to be able to aid/help/assist someone else. Mudita is simply known to be joy (the absence of joy in love is not believed to be true love). The fourth and final element is Upeksha which is inclusiveness. This love is one of acceptance and non-discrimination.
Sikhism. In Sikhism, Pyare means love for the Lord and His creation. This is one of five virtues that is vigorously promoted by the Sikh Gurus. The other four qualities are: Truth (Sat), Contentment (Santokh), Compassion (Daya) and Humility (Nimrata). These five qualities are essential to Sikhs and their religious obligations. It is their belief that when your mind is full of love, you can accept anyone as God’s creation.
Love is the primary theme across every major world religion. It’s also very interpretive. However, in each faith it is more than just a feeling. It’s the currency of a believer’s relationship with the divine and with others expressed through action.
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