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As an unbeliever, I think you have to cling to the notion that these verses are not authentic and hope that the evidence supports that view. The context is off. That should be enough to call it into question. To say it's obviously BS on the surface is inadequate: MANY verses are obviously BS on the surface. You can't dismiss scripture on that standard because you would dismiss most scripture. I would, as a believer, be most willing to conclude that these verses are forgeries on the grounds of contextual evidence and, as TWI did, point to the whatever textual criticism you can find to support it.

I'm glad you mentioned addictions. An addiction does begin with an unhealthy focus on self and remains that way as it progresses. Guilt* and shame become the main focal points and eventually one will end up wasting away in a pit of that stuff (it's heartbreaking to see). Not only do guilt and shame add fuel to the fire, but they can also get in the way of recovery. *Focusing on the guilt alone, without making amends, is self-destructive. Because of the name of this thread, I'll mention the terms "love addiction" and "sexual addiction" [aka compulsive sexual disorder disorder] as well. They are called addictions because the behaviors associated with each can become a major, constant focus in one's life, are difficult to control, cause problems in one's life, or are harmful to you or others. However, neither are recognized as clinical terms or are included in the DSM-5. Compulsive sexual behavior - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic Love Addiction: What It Really Means and How to Handle It (healthline.com) Your point about love as an action verb is an important one to remember. It's plain to see love when someone does volunteer work from their heart, but the opportunities to be kind and help others frequently come our way. I love Phil Collins and his song "Another Day in Paradise" speaks of the need to reach out and help - like the two videos Rocky showed about dogs - but with humans.

I was looking at the statement of beliefs on twi's website and at the bottom it says, For the Glory of God and the Accuracy of His Word For Those Who Want to Know Obviously, the first line is not true since they continue to teach the Word "according to vp," who according to their fictional description of the founder writes, "For over forty years, Dr. Wierwille devoted his major energies to intensive research and teaching of the accuracy of God’s Word." (Makes you wonder what his "minor" energies went into .) It's the second line, "For Those Who Want to Know." To me, it strongly suggests exclusivity which we know they were famous for under the first 3 presidents. Why not declare, "For all who want to know;" better yet, why have a second line at all? Is it trying to compliment people into taking pfalt? If so, it reminds me of The National Enquirer's slogan, "Enquiring minds want to know." Whatever their reason, it does not sound like unconditional love.

That's a good one, thx. Here's one that I find powerful from of all places the Twilight Zone, from the episode "The Trade-Ins". "From Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet: "Love gives not but itself and takes not from itself, love possesses not nor would it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love." Not a lesson, just a reminder, from all the sentimentalists in the Twilight Zone."