This is http://www.essayz.com/a9605142.htm         
Previous-Essay      <== This-Essay ==>     Following-Essay
Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words.
{Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.}
==========================================================
  %GREATEST COMMANDMENTS LOVE GOD NEIGHBOR LAW EVIL+960514
 %GOOD RELATIONSHIPS INTIMACY VULNERABILITY FORGIVE 960514

     Legalistic  people  approach all commandments  as  if
they are all of a kind;  i.e.,   prescriptions calling for
conformity.   The prescriptions  may  be  prohibitions  of
certain  actions,  or requirements of other  actions---but
the prescriptions all call for conformity OR ELSE.

     Legalistic people see all commandments as calling for
conformity---OR ELSE the implication is that there will be
judgements, condemnations and alienations  in  response to
non-conformity.   All commandments are are regarded as all
of  a kind---because they all demand conformity and  imply
that judgements, condemnations and alienations will follow
in response to non-conformity.

     Legalistic Christians seem  unable  to  recognize the
contrast   between  the  implications  of  the  life   and
teachings of non-legalistic Jesus of Nazareth and the life
and  teachings  of  the legalistic religious  leaders  who
conspired to have Jesus crucified.

     Legalistic  Christians seem unable to recognize  that
the  vary  nature of  the  two  commandments  which  Jesus
regarded  as the greatest commandments---is a nature which
indicates that those two commandments are not commandments
which threaten judgements,  condemnations and  alienations
if  they  are  not heeded.   Is  there  any  integrity  in
suggesting that if we do not love God with all our hearts,
minds and souls and/or if we do not love our  neighbors as
ourselves---there will be judgements,   condemnations  and
alienations  instigated against us on the part of the  God
who is Love?

     It  is more likely that the suggestion is that if  we
do not conform to certain legalistic people's expectations
we will be subject to their judgements,  condemnations and
alienations---all  of  which will be instigated  on  their
part in the name of their god who is an angry and vengeful
god  whom  they  have  created  in  their  own  small  and
demeaning image.
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
==========================================================