This is http://www.essayz.com/a9803282.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.} ========================================================== %ROOTS CONFLICTS CONTRADICTORY INTERPRETATION TEXTS+980328 %AFFIRMATIONS LOVE EVIL ALIENATION SIN BEST PEOPLE+980328 %ARROGANT SELF RIGHTEOUS SALVATION MERIT EXCLUSIVE+980328 %EXCOMMUNICATION REJECTION ALIENATION PUNISHMENTS 980328 Many conflicts are rooted in conflicting interpretations of texts which point to important truths in complementary (but apparently contradictory) ways. People who settle exclusively upon one apparently coherent set of interpretations of important texts --- often find themselves in conflict with another set of people who have settled exclusively upon another apparently coherent set of interpretations of important texts. People living and working within one of the apparently coherent sets of interpretations of important texts --- do so within one paradigm. Apparently coherent sets of interpretations of important texts may pertain to different kinds of paradigms suggested by words such as: RELIGION SCIENCE EDUCATION BUSINESS POLITICS SEXUALITY MORALITY ETHICS SALVATION GOOD EVIL GOD HEALING MEDICINE CONFLICT RECONCILIATION or some other domain of human interest and concern. People divide themselves into groups dedicated to conflicting interpretations of texts which point to important truths in complementary (but apparently contradictory) ways. People divide in numerous ways. The ways in which people divide themselves pertain simultaneously to: 1. The kind of paradigm which is most important to them as individuals and as communal groups. 2. The opposing/conflicting ways in which they interpret the key texts of their particular kind of paragidm. Many people feel/believe that to resolve their particular conflict over the interpretations of the texts which are most important to them --- they must become the dominant group and dominate the enemies who are: 1. Ignorant and/or misinformed. 2. Lacking in intelligence and/or discipline. 3. Evil and/or mislead. 4. Confused and/or dishonest. 5. Traitors and/or two-faced. 2. Lacking in loyalty to the absolute truth. To such people dominance is the key to conflict resolution --- and any person who fails to try to dominate enemy people --- is associated with the enemy. Distinctions between friends and enemy must be sharply drawn and ambiguities eliminated --- so that convictions, beliefs and interpretations can dominate in unquestioned ways. To dominant people the ways of Love are obviously suspect, if not clearly wrong or evil --- because Love is always trying to: 1. Bring people together in mutual understanding. 2. Promote open & honest dialogue about differences. 3. Transcend conflicts over textual interpretations. 4. Promote respect for paradoxes and uncertainties. 5. Reconcile conflicting textual interpretations. 6. Help people let go of dedications to conflicts. 7. Promote reconciliation, healing and growth. 8. Bring together complementary insights and texts. 9. Promote the development of trust between enemies. 10. Transcend preoccupation with being the-best-one. In tragic ways some people often make virtues out of attitudes, assumptions, thoughts and beliefs which lead them into enduring conflicts with each other. Such people also often make vices out of attitudes, assumptions, thoughts and beliefs which --- when given a chance --- might lead them out of the patterns of coercion, violence and destruction which undermine the integrity of their personal and communal lives together. (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================