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%PEACEMAKER FOCI FOCUS CONFLICT RESOLUTION WIN LOSE+960304
%PROPHET RELIGION PERVERSIONS VIOLENCE COERCION WAR+960304
  %IDEAL VALUE PRINCIPLE DOCTRINE STORIES INTEGRITY+960304
   %DISHONESTY DECEPTION COLLUSION ADDICTION APPEAR 960304

     If  we  are to enjoy peace we need to be clear  about
how to  focus our attention in ways which make for  peace.
We need to focus:

     Upon        rather than      Upon

     FORGIVENESS                  REVENGE

     RECONCILIATION               EXCOMMUNICATION

     MUTUALITY                    DOMINANCE

     LIBERATION                   CONTROLS

     CREATIVITY                   CONFORMITY

     CREATIVITY                   FORMULAS

     AUTHENTICITY                 SYSTEMATICS

     BEING RESPONSIVE             BEING RIGHT

     RELAXATION                   TENSIONS

     DIALOGUE                     LECTURING

     LISTENING                    TALKING

     HEARING                      TELLING

     DESCRIPTIONS                 PRESCRIPTIONS

     DESCRIPTIONS                 PROSCRIPTIONS

     INTEGRITY                    CONFORMITY

     REALITIES                    APPEARANCES

     Each religion  is  characterized by  what  it focuses
attention upon;   AND BY what it does NOT  focus attention
upon:

     STORIES             PARABLES           SCRIPTURES

     DOCTRINES           COMMANDMENTS       RITUALS

     DUTIES              EXPECTATIONS       VISIONS

     INSTITUTIONS        TRADITIONS         TEACHINGS

     IDEALS              VALUES             PRINCIPLES

     RELATIONSHIPS       BEHAVIORS          ATTITUDES

     PERCEPTIONS         EXPERIENCES        EXPRESSIONS

     EXCOMMUNICATIONS    ALIENATIONS        ESTRANGEMENTS

     VIOLENCE            CRUSADES           COERCIONS

     HOLY WARS           CONFLICTS          TERRORISM

     REVENGE             ANGER              PUNISHMENTS

     Within each religion there are people who differ from
each other  greatly  in  regards  to  the  foci  of  their
attention.    Often  it  is  not  clear  what,    if  any,
connection there is between the foci upon which they focus
attention.   Often there seems to be no integrity  in  the
pattern  of  what they  focus  attention upon---as if they
have no intention that there be any coherence or integrity
in the pattern of what they  focus attention upon.    They
are often using elements  of  their ostensible religion as
tools   of  manipulation---seeking  to promote  their  own
advantage or the advantage of their family,  clan or gang.
The  only  coherence to  be found is to be  found  in  the
motives  which  guide  them to use tools of  manipulation.
What they believe and do may be quite contrary to the life
and teachings of the prophet who  "founded"  the religion.
Such prophets would  not  be pleased to see what is  often
done in their names.
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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