[The passage of an institution from point 1 to point 3 changes the message of the institution.
The message goes from conversion by persuasion (or example) to conversion by the sword.
All sovereigns have the sword, so why not use it?
If the objectorganization is so important that it must be imposed by sovereign power, it is important enough to worship as an idol.
Thus, sovereign religions veer towards idolatry.]
[Politics substitutes for religion, in the passage of an institution from point 1 to point 3.
Political machinations become a screen for religious convictions.
There is much to be said about this.
However, the topic is far from Schoonenberg’s text.]
[There are three types of infrasovereign religions:
Summary of text [comment] page 83
Schoonenberg wrote that we exercise freedom in serving either God or Satan.
[Now, let me consider Satan in the guise of an (infra)sovereign religion and how it plays into ‘the thought experiment where ‘I choose something’‘.]
Summary of text [comment] page 83
[‘Responsibility3(2’ and ‘freedom2(1)’ expand or contract together.
Responsibilities3a(2a contextualize and embrace the somethings2a that my freedom2a(1a) supports.
Contrary to Modernism’s false opposition, responsibilities and freedom are in co-opposition.]
[The technical term is ‘reciprocity’
Each of us intuitively knows that nothing is truly free. To accept a gift is to accept the responsibilities of reciprocity.
This raises a fascinating sociological question:
How does one engage in reciprocity with an institution?]
[Would anyone offer you anything for ‘free’ (without apparent cost or obligation) in the short run, unless they hoped that the exchange would ‘obligate you, in the long run’?
An alternate approach is to offer ‘free stuff’ means ‘ with strings attached.
These strings (words) are co-opposed to bondage.]
[So what happens when, in the Modern opposition, “freedom” is defined as lack of responsibility?
Do less responsibilities mean more freedom?]
Summary of text [comment] page 83
[The following are equivalent:
Mirror of the world3a(something2a
Responsibility3a(2a
The following are equivalent:
something2a( potential of my desires1a))
Freedom2a(1a))]
[Progressive values1b are supposed to underlie our choices2b.
There should be no contradictions, when values1b align with desire1a.
Our choices2b touch base with Schoonenberg’s use of the word “service3b”.
Some value1b must be worth serving3b.]
Schoonenberg wrote that we exercise freedom in serving either God or Satan.
