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  %RELIGIOUS POWER CORRUPT AUTHORITY SCRIPTURE TEXT+940604
 %HOLY SPIRIT REVELATION INTERPRETATION VISION LOVE+940604
 %COLLUSION ADDICTION CODEPENDENT ORGANIZATION EVIL+940604
  %PERSON EXPERIENCE PERCEPTION DISHONEST DECEPTION 940604

    What  is a  person to do to help maintain personal and
communal integrity if the teachings and interpretations of
holy  scriptures---(which are given by dominant  religious
leaders)   are seen as dishonest parts of a collusive game
of mutual self deception?   Is it reasonable to follow the
promptings  of  such  religious  leaders;  or  instead  to
follow   the  promptings  of  the  Holy  Spirit  directing
attention  towards  honest  efforts to interpret  personal
experiences which cannot be denied as real and authentic?

    Suppose  that a major fraction of  the  members  of  a
religious  organization  which is  highly  respected---are
following  the  promptings  of religious leaders  who  are
participants in collusive games of mutual self deception?
Is it reasonable for a child or simple adult to follow the
promptings  of  such  religious  leaders;  or  instead  to
follow   the  promptings  of  the  Holy  Spirit  directing
attention  towards  honest  efforts to interpret  personal
experiences which cannot be denied as real and authentic?

    What   bearing   do   real  and   authentic   personal
experiences   have   upon  the  interpretations  of   holy
scriptures?    Are they  irrelevant?    Are  authoritative
interpretations of holy scripture to be believed when they
conflict   with  one's  own real  and  authentic  personal
experiences?  If so, how will collusive  religious leaders
be called to repentance?  It that God's job, maybe through
the  Holy  Spirit,  but with no role for  the  person  who
recognizes  the collusive religious leaders  as  dishonest
manipulators  of  their own perceptions  and  appearances?
How is the prophet called to speak God's word to collusive
religious leaders?

    Are we to trust collusive religious leaders to  answer
the above questions; or are we to trust the Holy Spirit?
How  are we to recognize which religious leaders merit our
respect and trust in these situations?

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