Another early newsgroup post (December 1994):

Re institutions (religious or otherwise): Remember sociologist Robert Merton’s axiom – ‘All institutions are inherently degenerative’. If institutions weren’t populated by humans (in religious terms ‘fallen’ humans) you wouldn’t have a problem. If you begin with this understanding, you won’t get so angry with them (ie. institutions or humans!)

Re recovery: A little, but, I believe, profound, belief that drives my little counseling practice: ‘It is *never* too late to have a happy childhood!’

Re belief in God: If you have God and everything else, you have no more than having God only; and if you have everything else and not God, you have nothing!’ (A medieval mystic).

You’re allowed to give yourself permission to have a happy Christmas!

(Rev. Dr.) Rowland Croucher