Romantic love may be
the most pervasive myth of Western culture.
Romance is a cultural invention,
not a natural phenomenon.
We have been so deeply indoctrinated
into the romantic myth
that we have no awareness of the process
of emotional programming
that created our romantic responses.
Popular culture is the main way we learn
how to 'fall in love'.
Movies, television, popular songs, novels, & magazines
all train our feelings into the
wonderful delusion of romance.
Our romantic games
would be harmless if everyone knew
that romantic love is a fantasy feeling.
But while still under the influence of
romantic illusions,
some people make the life-altering mistake
of getting married.
Religious indoctrination
demonstrates emotional programming.
Is 'being saved' the religious equivalent
of 'falling in love'?
We are taught what emotions to expect—then
we try to create them.
If romantic love is
a hoax, what should we do?
Real information can replace romantic
illusions.
We can love on the basis of who we
choose to be
rather than trying to reproduce romance
as seen on television.
Resources:
If you would like to read a three-page article exploring romance, go to:
Romantic Love is a Hoax! Emotional Programming to 'Fall in Love'
.
If you would like to check your level of romantic feeling, go to:
The Romantic Love Test: How Do We Know if We Are in Love?
Ten books exploring the dynamics of romance:
Best Books Critical of Romantic Love
.
Discussion leader:
James Park is an existential philosopher living in Stevens Square.
His most popular book is: New Ways of Loving:
How Authenticity Transforms Relationships
.
The first chapter is the basis for this discussion:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/NWL1.html
Go to a complete listing of resources critical of romantic illusions:
The Romantic Love Portal
.
Go to the opening page for the Minnesota Free University .