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 %LEAD NEGATIVE JUDGE ARROGANT REJECT THREAT DEFEND+930419
%EXCLUSIVE IDEAL VALUE DENY IMPORT INTEGRATE PLEASE+930419
%RELIGION IDEAL VALUE MYTH DOCTRINE RITUAL LAW CODE 930419

     All too  often  religions leaders  have  focused  the
attention  of  common people upon ideals,  values,  myths,
doctrines,  rituals,   laws  and  codes  which  cannot  be
evaluated directly in terms of the personal experiences of
the common people. This serves to put power into the hands
of exclusive people who seek to be religious leaders,  and
to keep religious power.

     Religious leaders  would  promote more  personal  and
communal  integrity were they to focus people's attentions
upon descriptions of integrative values  and  ideals  with
their fruits, in  contrast  to  disintegrative  values and
ideals  with  their fruits.  Descriptions  of  ideals  and
values should make clear what their fruits are, by calling
upon   common   people  to  check  the   descriptions  for
authenticity and  accuracy  in  the  light  of  their  own
personal experiences and insights. Through open and honest
dialogue based upon personal experiences and insights  the
common people are able to tell which religious leaders are
true prophets,   and  which religious  leaders  are  false
prophets. See the previous essay.

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