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Similar to a virus, anxiety needs a host cell in order to replicate itself.  All forms of murmuring require the reinforcement of a host cell (cells) to continue and to grow.  Four viruses are potentially virulent and can turn a congregation into a virtual “hot zone” – an anxiety pit.  The viruses are secrets (gossiping, whispering), accusations (blaming, faultfinding), lies (deceiving), and triangulation (shifting burdens elsewhere).  They are all expressions of the virus of anxiety.  The presence of secrets or triangles are not themselves the disease.  Rather, secrets and triangles enable the disease process.  The disease requires a combination of the secrecy and the host cells (people who permit secrets to exist).

Healthy Congregations, Peter L. Steinke, page 57