Your thoughts on prayer

But Lyn - Andy and I are saying one thing... Wolf is saying another!

And please, do add to the thread. Your input is more than welcome.

I find this a frightening thought...that human love could be reduced to such clinical terms.  It may well serve the selfish interests of "the besotted teenager's parents" but at what cost?  Surely, for those of us who are well past that stage, all of the romantic attachments we experienced as teenagers (or for that matter all romantic attachments since) have a tremendous impact on the type of persons we have become. Each relationship challenges us to become better individuals and to care more about another than we care for ourselves.

It seems to me that just as children learn to walk, first by crawling, then taking tentative little steps and falling down, to finally mastering the walk; we too learn to love in stages.  Through their sudden attraction to the opposite sex, teenagers are drawn out of their selfish self absorbed state to recognize another.  They become aware that another other than self is worthy of their care and attention.  Over the years and the various experimental relationships they are able to “hone” their nurturing skills and (ideally) become better able to select a life partner.

I suppose that this too sounds a bit clinical, but what I am trying to convey is this:  The beginnings of romantic love are intended to draw us to a person and to keep us interested long enough for true love to take root and grow. These chemical reactions that are spoken of have a purpose and are vital, not just to the continuation of our species, but to our emotional and psychological well being too. I am no scientist but as a believer in God, I believe that God IS love and one of the ways we are created in his image is that we have been given the gift of love in all its wondrous forms and that includes romantic love.

John, I was going to say the opposite, the emotion comes before the ping, but if the ping comes first what causes it?  Association, or a particular connection of other pings, creating a new ping (or recognition?).  Isn't that what Ruth is saying - we live and we learn, hopefully.  Each new experience contributes to who we are. 

I find this a frightening thought...that human love could be reduced to such clinical terms...

Why do you find it frightening, Diana?

If it's TRUE that we can explain why we feel the things we feel in terms of natural, physical, real-world processes - isn't that wonderful? Doesn't it open whole worlds of understanding?

I don't find it frightening at all. I find it liberating.

Hi. Susan.

We are lucky enough to have a pair of peacocks in our garden.

The male displays - the female gets excited. What causes her excitement?

I'd say she sees the peacock's impressive display and evolution makes her think 'perfect mate'.

Same thing happens with humans. But we don't have such pretty feathers.