[orthodoxymoron]

I'm beginning to rely more and more on my inherent spirituality...and on the examples and information from other human beings. I'm relying less and less on the gods(old or new) and sacred texts. I'm not worshipping myself or seeking to exalt myself...I'm worshipping no one and no thing...and I'm seeking the exaltation and elevation of the entire human race...not just a select and special group. One should never be proud or stubborn...but one should never engage in self loathing or self destructive thoughts or behavior.

Self exaltation is self centered. Self degradation is also self centered. True self esteem is actually achieved by becoming responsibility centered. I once made a self esteem guru angry by expressing this concept.

This is a very tricky area. Perfectionism, procrastination, unworthiness, fear, etc...are often involved in some very negative(and I think demonic) orgys. I suspect that demonic forces masquerade as the gods...who we 'unworthy' humans are led to worship and praise. The atheists have gotten it partially right...but stopped short of realizing that we humans really do survive our physical deaths...and have great spiritual potential...with or without the gods.

I tend to think that Jesus tried to break the power of the demonic theocracy...but they broke him...and we ignored him. We still do.