Now I know you have read the scripture below before but since you believe love is what guides you then try replacing the word faith in this scripture and insert love. It still works. Of course I believe in this scripture just the way it reads but for you I'm using it as an example.
James 2: 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[e] and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
My problem with your idea that love is a mindful thing and not an action too is that if all the individuals/churches/organizations that help people around the world all stopped helping needy people tomarrow, life would become really hard for many. I'm not understanding how your mindful love for humanity makes a difference. What about sacrifice for a greater cause? Giving of oneself to help another, not being forced to or because someone makes you do it but because you love God, that is how you show your love back to Him.
Matthew 25 40 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
God uses our physical bodies to do much of His work in the world. It does not diminish His power to use us in this manner. He is pleased that we have an active and mental (prayerful) relationship with Him and the people He created. ('fellow human being brother' and BRETHREN in Christ)
I can tell you have given your beliefs great thought and I do appreciate you taking the time to explain to me why you call me a predator or hero or whatever all you have been throwing my way because I had no idea what you were talking about.
If you appreciate people being themselves then you should appreciate me and my ways of serving God and people. I have always been a helper to people. I'm one of those people (that probably make you sick) that smile most of the time. :) I like to help and serve others. It has nothing to do with being a doormat ...this is who I am naturally. Call it my idiosyncracies, habits, shortcomings if you will, but this is who I am. I also understand scripture to say this is a desired way to be that pleases God and through prayer (it is confirmed) that it is my calling in life to be this way.
Now you have not spoken much on serving people. I'm trying not to misunderstand you here....you would help someone in need if they wanted it right? Your conscience would tell you to do so if you saw someone in need? Respecting humanity is not walking away from people in need just to avoid conflict to keep peace is it?
I also consider witnessing a loving action but sadly I think Christians (including myself) really mess up here. I think here on the internet is one of the places where it is easy to get into trouble. Not that there is anything wrong with witnessing (I believe we as Christians are all called to do so) but it is just easier to push our view point on someone online beyond their level of acceptance and not realize we have oversteped. Jesus was kind and gentle when He taught and did not mash their faces into it. He gently shared and left it in their hands. I think Christians get defensive and feel the need to protect God when people start being negative towards Him but God does not need to be defended even though Christians feel like they are somehow being disrepectful to God if they do not stop the other person from abusing Him. This is an area I believe that we need alot of prayer and mindfulness.
You and I disagree on the importance of scripture and what it says and how it should be used in our lives but apparently we are both working through our discussion to be able to share our beliefs. I think that is a good thing.
Now I come to the discussion of "debate". This is a whole new animal for me and I see that you spend alot of time in the Debate Forums . Why is that? It has never been my nature to debate with people but I decided to throw my hat into the ring and give it a try. Not real impressed with it so far (lol) but I do learn things when people do not get all deranged acting towards each other. I have noticed that people seem to be more paranoid and distrustful if they spend too much time in debate. People are on guard and seem to expect to be disrespected.
Ok that is all I have for now and it will be time to go to church for worship pretty soon. (hope you are not frowning) I'm going because I want to. :)