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 %IDOLATRY ADDICTION TEMPTATION DISHONESTY COERCION+970119
%VIOLENCE DECEPTION ALIENATION EXCOMMUNICATION EVIL+970119
%DOCTRINE RITUAL SCRIPTURAL DENOMINATION CHURCH SIN+970119
%SELF RIGHTEOUS ARROGANCE DICHOTOMY DOUBT CERTAINTY 970119

     Religious  leaders  are often trapped  in  idolatrous
worship  of  what they regard as their  special  means  to
salvation; their grounds for proper self-righteousness:

     1.  Correct doctrine.
     2.  Proper rituals.
     3.  Proper scriptural interpretations.
     4.  Denominational purity.
     5.  Superior moral codes/behavior.
     6.  Correct identification of evil people.
     7.  Lack of confusion, doubt, and uncertainty.

     Religious   leaders  who  are  guilty  of  idolatrous
worship  of  what they regard as their  special  means  to
salvation---are willing to engage in:
 Glorification of "holy" conflicts and wars.
     7.  Collusive games of mutual self deception.
     8.  Use of coercion, violence and dishonesty.

     In  such instances religious leaders are behaving  in
ways  which are similar to the ways of addicts who worship
their  "fix of choice".   Addicts'  "fixes of choice"  are
their idols.

     Whatever  religious leaders regard as  their  special
means  to  salvation;   their  grounds  for  proper  self-
righteousness---is their "fix of choice"; their idol(s).

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
  www.essayz.com       Search for Integrity and Honesty        
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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