Agape

The rich variety of world religions is a testimony to the essential spiritual nature of our human existence. And yet, within this amazing and sometimes fascinating diversity can be found an equally amazing unity, the basis of which is love. All the world's great religions both teach and assume the priority of love in religious practice, and any religion or system of beliefs that teaches or tolerates hatred towards others does not deserve to be considered a religion in the first place. Agape love is not directed towards a single person or small group of friends but towards all humanity, even all of creation. It is altruistic love, love that is given for its own sake without expecting anything in return, it is pure love, and the kind of love in which the religions of the world may find basis for unity.