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                        %SALVATION THROUGH CONFLICT 870224

     Often people get trapped in striving to achieve their
own salvation through conflict.

     For what or for whom do we best strive?

     If  we  strive  primarily  for  our  own  welfare  we
generate  conflict between our attempt to promote our  own
welfare  and fulfilling the needs of others which are  not
served  by  an exclusive  focus upon our needs as  we  see
them.    This  is  true  whether  we regard  ourselves  as
individuals,   small groups,  or larger groups.   When  we
focus exclusively upon fulfilling  our needs as we see and
understand them, then we lead toward the disintegration of
our broader community.   But it  is only in unity with the
larger community that we can enjoy salvation.

     We  often  focus our attention upon ideals and  goals
which transcend the provincial interests which we and  our
groups  have.    In  our  idealism we may  be  willing  to
sacrifice the provincial welfare  of our narrow groupings.
Yet  our conceptions  of salvation may still be provincial
and  lack  the integrity needed to understand the need  to
balance  various people's and groups'  needs to achieve  a
dynamic  interdependence  between  personal   and communal
integrity.    We may emphasize one of the perceived  needs
over the other,  and thereby lead to the disintegration of
both.

     In our confusion and  frustration we may seek our own
salvation through conflict.   We may perceive anybody  who
is  afraid  of  any conflict as lacking  in  strength  and
conviction which we believe is essential to salvation.  We
may go to the extreme of believing in the inherent good of
conflict,  disagreement, saying no, and rebelling.   As we
disintegrate   we  become  more  and  more  dedicated   to
disintegrative  means while believing we are striving  for
salvation.   If so,  we need to turn around  and  see  our
context more clearly.  We need to reform our way of seeing
in  order to recognize the disintegration which flows from
our  convictions and disintegrative idealism.   We need to
learn from  what happens when we faithfully act in keeping
with  our  convictions  and  ideals,   being  honest  with
ourselves  and others about our choices and describing the
consequences of those choices.  Playing collusive games of
mutual  self-deception will not lead us to salvation,   no
matter how many people join us in playing such games.

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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