Legalism

I cannot keep count of the number of people in whom religion, the love of God and the desire to serve him,

or even a quite secular ideal of perfection, lead only to a life of sterility, sadness, and anxiety. The fear of

sinning had killed all their spontaneity. The subtle analysis of their conscience has taken the place of that

childlike simplicity of heart that Christ demands. All joy has been replaced by the pursuit of duty. They have

come to the point of doing nothing that gives them pleasure, as if God, who loves us, never required anything

but disagreeable things of us! They make incredible efforts but win no victories. Ther are always comparing

themselves with those they look upon as their betters.

Paul Tournier (1898-1986)