Was Jesus the only one who said “love your enemies”?
Have any other major religious leaders/philosophers east or west said this before him?
Well, supposedly Sun Tzu said “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” but I’m not sure he was thinking along the same lines.
Confucious taught a parable about a man who stole his cloak. He said he wished he was able, and he would give the thief the moon also.
Similar concept. 'Cept 'fucious didn’t die for anyone.
I believe Ron Jeremy said it as well.
Here’s a website that reflects on the phrase “love your enemies” as seen thru a variety of religions: http://www.unification.net/ws/theme144.htm
Well, that’s the first time I used the Unification church as a cite!
But it does show that Buddhism pretty clearly has said “love your enemy” and that it is implied in the writings of judaism, jainism, the hindus, and others.
Buddha said something along the lines of “Hatred can never be defeated by hatred but only by love.”
I also remember some kind of Buddhist saying about how people should be like the sun, shining on everybody equally without regard to whether they are good or bad.
And I see that both of these sayings are cited in QtM’s link. Never mind.
I can’t find a cite right now, but I believe that a similar sentiment was said in Greek philosphy, by either Socrates or Aristotle quoting him.
This would have been a few hundred years before Jesus.
Thanks a lot for the quick response.
It’s amazing that so many people had said this.
I am actually looking for the beginning of humanitarianism.
Would it be fair to attribute the spread of humanitarianism to Christianity? At least in the west?
Because I thought almost all religions before Christianity (at least in the west)had severe gods that basically only punish people.
No, I wouldn’t say that is fair at all!
I’d say the civilization in Ancient Greece was far more humanitarian than the first 1500-1700 years of Christianity. And they had lots of Gods, including some like Venus, Goddess of love, and Cupid, who were not the punishing type.
And the Christian God does a whole lot of punishing, too. Look at much of the Old Testament. Or look at the Holy Inquisition or Witch-Burnings promoted by Christians. Pretty severe God there.
Im afraid you’re letting your desire to give credit to Christianity color your take on this.