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%UNREPENTANT CONTENTIOUS CHRISTIAN DICHOTOMIES SINS+980713                
   %GOOD EVIL SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS ARROGANCE ABSOLUTE+980713       
 %TRUTH KNOWLEDGE JUDGEMENT CONDEMNATION ALIENATION+980713                                        
  %FRAGMENTATION DISINTEGRATION SEPARATION DIALOGUE+980713                                                                   
   %EXCLUSIVE CLUB GROUP FAMILY CHURCH DENOMINATION+980713                       
   %HOLY WAR SACRED DUTY DISCIPLINE LEGALISTIC LAWS+980713                                                                     
%SELECTED SCRIPTURE PRESCRIPTION PROSCRIPTION TABOO+980713                                                                     
 %CONFLICT RESOLUTION MAINTAIN SUPPORT CONFUSE FAIL 980713                                              
                                                                                                                               
     Many  Christians engage unrepentingly in  contentious               
patterns of behavior, sow seeds of dissension/discord, and                                                       
cultivate concerns  which bear bitter fruits/herbs.   Such                               
Christian  idolaters  worship   disintegrative:    ideals,                                         
values, principles,  goals, priorities and interpretations                      
of scriptures.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                               
     Should   the   unrepentingly   contentious   behavior                
patterns of Christians be respected, honored,  trusted and                                      
empowered?   If so, for what reason, on what authority and                                             
in the light of what fruits which are associated with such                                                                     
behavior patterns?                                                       
                                                                                                                               
     How  are  we  to recognize and cautiously  relate  to                                               
Christians who engage unrepentingly in the above kinds  of                                                                     
behaviors?  We may recognize such Christians by the extent                                                       
to which they:                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                               
     1.  Focus  exclusively  on  only one or on  very  few                       
intimately   inter-related   issues,    conflicts,     and                     
preoccupations.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                               
     2.  Are   preoccupied  with  issues  of  control  and                                                           
conflicts which relate to issues of control.                                              
                                                                                                                               
     3.  Can see other people's sins very clearly ---  but                                                               
cannot  recognize their own disintegrative sins, even when                   
they are clearly and charitably described.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
     4.  Demand that questions be framed and responded  to                                  
with yes or no answers, dichotomously.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                               
     5.  Avoid  listing  multiple alternatives  which  are                                                                     
worthy  of  respect,   honor  and  support  ---  and avoid                                      
prioritization of such alternatives.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                               
     6.  See  all choices in terms of good and evil people                                       
rather than in terms of competing ideas,  ideals,  values,                                         
principles, and scriptural interpretations.                      
                                                                                                                               
     7.  Demand that they themselves enjoy the benefits of    
their own choices: but that other people pay the price.                   
                                                                                                                               
     8.  Refuse to participate openly and honestly in good                           
faith efforts  to  resolve conflicts  between their ideas,                                              
ideals,    values,   principles  and  interpretations   of                      
scriptures  ---   and those of other  people  who  support                                                               
complementary  ideas,   ideals,  values,   principles  and                                         
interpretations of scriptures.                      
                                                                                                                               
     9.  Are  stuck in the past ---  and are unwilling  to                                                                     
attend to Holy Spirit's current promptings  and learn from                                                                     
today's changes, experiences, and inspirations.                                   
                                                                                                                               
     10.  See righteousness defined in terms of conformity       
---rather  than in terms of  personal  right-relationships       
which are characterized  by:   justice,  mercy,  humility,                                                                     
gentleness, honesty, charity, AND generosity.                                                                  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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