A question concerning the negative polarity

[Patrick]

The question is, if these historical examples emphasize this significant error where people believe themselves to be on the positive path, when they aren't, what is so easily being misunderstood?
...

I would say it is: Judgment of other-selves.

I believe that, whatever your intentions are, judging other-selves is not part of the positive path. But it is nearly unavoidable down here, so we can only forgive the self and the other-self for the judging. This, I believe, is definitely part of the positive path.