Some environments just feel unsafe. Some other environments are unsafe. They are unsafe because they’re guarded by a thousand and one pharisaical minds who gauge everything by rules and regulations, with little or no regard for the only rule that matters: the rule to love.

It is strange how we regulate life in our communities with rules, assuming that when people observe those rules, they keep themselves from “sinning” or doing wrong and therefore do not offend God. I’d understand a need for guiding principles and various guidelines in a community’s “rule of life”. But rules and regulations?

All people within a community can be well observing every policy, every procedure, every rule, and every regulation, and yet flouting that one rule most fundamental to the ontology of community. I believe that when we choose to take the longer route of teaching, showing and modelling love, we might realise after a period of time that there is no need for airtight rules and regulations any longer.

I ‘m not saying it’s the most practical way of dealing with life together. I’m saying it’s the only way if we choose to remain true to the essence of life together. It’s an ideal, yes, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t choose to strive towards its attainment in the present scheme of things.

Afterthought: Some further thoughts several hours later.
It's hazardous to flout the ritual law for the sake of the moral law; you get condemned and punished for it by people who don't understand, who refuse (?) to understand. But by all means, ignore the moral law and fixate yourself on the observance of the ritual law; you will be counted among the righteous of the land. It is sad.