I hope you take the time to revisit Gene's writings, as they provide insight into the evolution of this forum and another related one over the years. While I initially disagreed with Gene's concept of the soul and body, I have found myself aligning more with his perspective than with the dualistic view. It took me some time to adjust to Gene's belief that the soul is inherently pure while the body is tainted, a notion I do not fully subscribe to. However, this has prompted me to question my own understanding of Christian identity. Historically, there have been individuals who rejected the idea of certain individuals being designated as special Christians. In today's society, where prevailing ideologies often clash with Christian values, there is a struggle to maintain a cohesive Christian identity. The pressure to maintain a balanced perspective can lead to a sense of cognitive dissonance and hinder genuine emotional responses. Initially, I feared that Gene's emphasis on inherent perfection could foster neurotic tendencies, but I now realize that the dualistic approach may be more detrimental. I look forward to engaging in discussions on a more practical level about these complex concepts.

I perceive a common mindset in many churches, although not in my own. It seems that there is a tendency for individuals to create their own comfort zones, which allows them to maintain beliefs that prevent them from becoming overly burdened with anxiety. Many people seem to have a distorted perception of how the Christian message relates to reality. However, an individual can consciously challenge their own thinking patterns to balance their tendencies and avoid favoring one perspective over another. But when a group of Christian individuals with differing viewpoints come together, there is a higher expectation to find peace by either embracing ignorance or exaggerating reasons to avoid disagreements.

It can be likened to a paternal figure, where certain trigger points incite inward anger, leading to the necessity of developing a resistance to control it. The prevailing belief is that we should refrain from our actions, so that our truth lies in not repeating what we have just done, as this dynamic requires both a mentor and a learner. This creates a neurotic atmosphere or self-imposed suppression, as elucidated by Edwards. According to him, if there are two choices of equal significance and the ability to make decisions rests solely on the individual, then there would be no logical basis to favor one option over the other. In the absence of a significant cause, the chosen object wields all the power. Reflect upon this concept and feel free to inquire further.