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     %LEGALISTS PREOCCUPATION RULE LAW COMMAND GOOD+960720
    %PERSONAL DESIRES HOPES ASPIRATIONS DIFFER EVIL+960720
      %IDOLATRY WORSHIP COMMUNAL INTEGRITY SIN FAIL+960720
     %SELF RIGHTEOUS PRIDE SOPHISTICATION SALVATION 960720


     Legalists are  often  compulsively  preoccupied  with
laws,  rules,  regulations,  prohibitions,  prescriptions,
judgements, punishments, etc.---while being indifferent to
personal  and communal integrity.   They worship what they
are  compulsively  preoccupied  with---and  their idolatry
promotes personal and communal disintegration.

     Legalists are indifferent to individual  differences,
desires,  hopes, aspirations, histories, emotions---acting
as  if  such  differences  should make  no  difference  in
making decisions regarding which alternatives  (if chosen)
will   be integrative,  and which will be  disintegrative.
Legalists so act  because they are themselves  indifferent
to personal and communal integrity; or think that personal
and  communal  integrity  depend  only upon  appearing  to
conform to proper laws, rules,  regulations, prohibitions,
prescriptions, judgements, punishments, etc.

     In contrast to legalists, extreme hedonists care only
about their  own  desires  and are indifferent to personal
and  communal  integrity.   They are idolaters who worship
themselves.   Their  idolatry  also  promotes personal and
communal disintegration.

     For us to enjoy both  personal and communal integrity
we  must be balanced in showing  respect for personal  and
communal integrity; and in showing respect for  individual
differences,  desires,  hopes, aspirations,  histories and
emotions.     Decision making must give due attention to a
wide  range  of considerations;  not  just  a  few  select
considerations favored by a "select few"  in order to make
themselves   look  "good"   in  their  own  eyes.    Self-
righteousness is  disintegrative  no  matter how educated,
sophisticated and powerful the self-righteous people are.

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