We do not have to accept bad human behaviour from a neighbour, but living with it without direct retaliation is beneficial for us. As a Christian we are to pray for our unregenerate neighbour, that they might be enlightened to a better relationship. Learning to forgive is healthy. However if the neighbour is blind to their offensive behaviour they must be confronted, and it might be a personal approach or the law that enlightens them.

We as Christians pray even for the worst of offenders, as Christianity first spread from the conversion of one religious zealot Saul of Tarsus who murdered the first Christians. We believe God can change zealots minds, and it has happened. For example Slave trader John Newton who became Christian setting slaves free. I hear of many stories of ISIS fighters having dreams of Jesus and turning to Christianity. We pray this will happen. Enlightened human behaviour changes lives.

Not_Now.Soon,

<< what does it mean to love your neighbor? Should you love a neighboring country. Would it mean more trade? An active involvement in their country. (Like trying to help build infrastructure, curbing corruption, finding justice, or protecting through your military)?>>

What an excellent question!

In the Christian Scriptures, the command 'love your neighbour' appears not once but 8 times, one example being: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).

This is not a sexual or romantic love. It is an unconditional love of compassion that is commanded among Christian people and not nations. It is what I need for me to function and is what I should give to others personally. It is fleshed out in 1 Corinthians 13. No airy-fairy stuff here.

This kind of love is expressed especially among people: It is kind, patient; not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It isn't selfish, quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs others do. It rejoices in the truth but not in evil done. It is always supportive, loyal, hopeful and trusting. This kind of love 'never fails' (1 Cor 13:4-8).

Imagine living in Australia with those kinds of relationships. It was possible for the Christians of Corinth to attain but they are like us and are hampered by evil and deceitful thoughts that result in evil actions.

What a superb society we would have if people loved to the point of not keeping a record of wrongs done by others? This requires the forgiveness God enables us to give and the power of love in God's people.

ttbn,

If what you say is true, then why do you continue
to make personal comments about people thereby
baiting a reaction?

It seems that
you can't help yourself. And you thrive on this.
Nastiness encourages people
to react if you keep on pushing their buttons.

You need to stop your behavior which you consistently
deny. We'd love to see who you really are - if as you
claim you aren't what we're currently seeing.

If you were to really "try to be nice," (ttbn) instead
of the "tough tenacious biting nit" (ttbn) that you're
currently presenting to us - then perhaps things would
change for you on this forum. But you can't keep on
doing what you do, and expect different results.

We're willing to give it a go, how about you trying?

It's perhaps worth pointing out that the phrase from the New Testament would have revolved around the Greek word " agapaw " meaning a lot broader than 'love' - to be considerate of and concerned for, to esteem, to regard as worthy of human respect and courtesy as a fellow human being.

It contains the seeds of the notion that all human beings are equal, and should be regarded as having equal rights, similar feelings and concerns, etc. That doctrine stands in stark contrast with tribal and clan ideology in which strangers are assumed to be hostile and not quite human, certainly not to be awarded equal consideration, and perhaps to be exterminated, as one would an ant.

That 'live and let live' ideology is also violently opposed by many other religious ideologies, such as Islam, at least in their religious texts - if not in daily life, which should give us some hope.

Joe

When the neighbours popped into ttbn house;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDFZflAfhy0

It is a great thought, love like get along with, the bloke next door
Once we did, we knew every one in our street as kids
In fact kids bought the bloke next door home
My country villages [not this xenophobic one] saw us know everyone talk to every one help if needed
Modern life has changed us but not all of us
One thing you can bet your house on
Anyone openly telling us they do not like people has a mental illness
About xenophobia, my home town,it has a long history and a good one
It is about half blow ins from another place, me being one, we are not considered locals and, after a time, like it that way
ANY group activity market day tennis court, hall, is the product of us new comers