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 %REQUIRE DUTY UNRELATED UNIQUE PERSON ADDICT LEGAL 921228

     One  of the factors which underlies the  failures  of
legalists  and  legalisms is our  failure  to  demonstrate
sufficient  respect  for the unique aspects of persons and
their  intimate personal relationships.  Too often imposed
requirements  are  not related to the  particulars of  the
lives   and   relationships  of  the  persons  which   the
requirements  presume  to  regulate.  By failing  to  root
suggestions and guidance within  the  experiences  of  the
persons to whom the suggestions and guidance are  directed
--- the  suggestions    and    guidance   are    seen   as
uninformed,   based upon ignorance,   and irrelevant.  The
less  rooted are the suggestions and guidance  within  the
experiences  of  the persons to whom the  suggestions  and
guidance are directed---the  less  relevant  and  powerful
they  are  in   real practice. Often people see no helpful
relationship  between  their own experiences and what  the
legalists and legalisms say.

     When there  are  no  apparent  relationships  between
people's  own  experiences and imposed rules,  regulations
and  legalisms;   it  is natural for the  victims  of  the
impositions  to  call  into  question the motives  of  the
legalists  who are prone to lay heavy  legalistic  burdens
upon  people.   The  victims of  legalists  and  legalisms
naturally  look for the coming  of  a messiah to save them
from such burdens,  to lift such burdens,  and to offer  a
light  yoke of  guidance for real living which is relevant
to real living---by being clearly and  intimately  related
to  real  personal  experiences.   Needless  to  say   the
legalists  see any  potential messiah as a threat to their
power  base,   and  are prone  to  crucify  any  potential
messiah;   and so to discredit her or him before she or he
establishes an adequate base of power to take over control
of  the legalistic  kingdom  which the legalists rule with
iron hands.

     Many of the questions which need to be asked have  to
do  with concerns over:  being in control,  the nature  of
control,  the nature of really helpful power, and the need
for control.  Many of the questions which need to be asked
have  to  do with finding ways to  transcend such concerns
about:  being in control, who is in control,  and the need
for control.

     There are fundamental differences  between  legalists
and others in regard to which questions are appropriate to
ask,  which may be asked,  and what responses are  offered
when questions are asked.  We  need to ask how integrative
are:  the questions which are (and  are  not)  asked,  the
responses   of  legalists  (and  non-legalists)   to   the
questions which are (and are not) asked; and what might be
more integrative  responses  than  are the responses which
are usually given.

     Often   legalists  within  religious,    educational,
professional  and  political  institutions  are  at  heart
addicts  who need the services of  codependent  victims of
their legalistic habits in order  for  their  lives to  be
complete; or so the the legalists' attitudes and behaviors
suggest.   Attending  to legalistic details is the fix  of
legalists, and the fix is useless without  the respect and
attention of people willing to show respect for the rules,
regulations,    legalisms,   moralisms,   do's,    dont's,
prohibitions,    requirements,   taboos, excommunications,
shunnings, rejections, and alienations.
Without such respect the legalists would be powerless, and
would have to find another fix;  or else grow out of their
addictions.
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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