[Tax-chick]

I think I agree with what you're saying, but I also think it is, to some extent, simply a question of terminology. We might say, just as a proposal, that "individuality" is a great good, given by God to each unique soul, while "individualism," the concept that one can stand apart from others, is an error.

Each person, no matter how independent he perceives himself to be, required others for his very existence and for his survival to some level of autonomy.

We can say that a "collective" is a coerced association for a purpose not chosen by the participants, while a "community" is built by individuals freely choosing to commit to a relationship of love.

You're free to disagree, of course - I'm just suggesting a way of distinguishing between concepts that appear similar but are, as you point out, actually opposed. The author may not be saying quite what you think he is saying.

[the invisib1e hand]

In our own day (as I suppose in any period of history), there is a great impulse toward individualism and independence – and these tendencies often creep into our religious sensibilities through hidden and unseen cracks.

The author said this, as if "individualism" is some kind of noxious weed. I countered it, because I can't stand cliches. I've seen lives ruined by them.