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 %DEFINE COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION EXCLUDE 960420

     Many communities are defined in  terms of who is kept
out  of  the  community  and  who  is  kicked out  of  the
community.  Only persons  who meet certain  qualifications
are welcome within  such  communities.   Those persons who
lose their  qualifications;  fail to maintain  them,   are
kicked out.

     People  are  let into such a community only  if  they
meet  entrance requirements with regards to birth,   race,
ethnic origin,  religion,  beliefs, life style, sexuality,
martial status,  achievements, education, economic status,
political leanings,  etc.   People are "let out" of such a
community if they  fail to maintain their  qualifications.
Appearances count a great deal.

     In communities which  are  exclusive  it is often the
case that the only thing  which counts is appearances; not
realities.     In  such  communities  honesty,    personal
integrity and communal integrity are not usually the focus
of attention.    The  attention  is  usually  focused upon
appearances, issues of control, achievements,  perfection,
ideals,    goals,    principles,    rules,    regulations,
prohibitions, prescriptions,  formulas, etc.   Failures to
conform are often grounds  for  condemnation,   rejection,
exclusion  and excommunication from the "community"  which
does not know the real essence of a true community.

     A true  community  is one in which  membership is not
achieved and is not conditional.  A  true community is one
in  which  people feel free to be true to  themselves  and
each other---knowing that doing so will  not  be  a ground
for exclusion from the community.  A true community is one
in  which all members of the community are  interested  in
personal  and communal integrity---and what they can do to
promote such integrity.  A  true community is one in which
people  learn  from mistakes made---learning through  open
and  honest  dialogue---and  so they tend  not  to  repeat
mistakes.  Fear does not dominate in a true community; and
neither does love dominate.

     In a true  community Love  sets  members  free  to be
themselves  with  due respect and  consideration  for each
other and  each  other's  needs and wishes.    In  a  true
community  power is shared,  not concentrated.    Power is
used  to  build  community,   not  to  build  empires  and
reputations.   Power is used to liberate,  not to control.
In a true community people are not preoccupied with issues
of control and conformity,  but with getting to truly know
each other.   Whatever gets in the way of getting to truly
know  each other is regarded  as not worthy of respect  or
support in a true community.

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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