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   %GOLDEN RULE TREAT OTHERS AS WE DESIRE OURSELVES+040207
 %ARBITRARY UNILATERAL PREJUDICED CAPRICIOUS DEVILS+040207
 %PRESUPPOSES ALIKE DIFFERENCES ASK INQUIRE SUGGEST+040207
  %SEXUAL ABUSE COERCION VIOLENCE DOMINATION SYSTEM+040207
 %COMMANDMENTS PRESCRIPTIONS PROSCRIPTIONS DESCRIBE+040207
 %INSTRUCTIONS REQUIREMENT PREREQUISITES ACCEPTANCE 040207
                                                          
     The "Golden Rule" suggests that we treat others as we
would like them to treat us in  like  circumstances.   The
"Golden  Rule"   presupposes that we and our neighbors are
alike!  What if we and our neighbors are different?   What
if they object to being treated as we want to be treated? 
                                                          
     Why not ask our neighbors themselves how they want to
be treated?   Why not suggest that we treat others as they
want  to be treated ---  at least unless  there  are truly
compelling  reasons for not treating them as they want  to
be treated?  Why not suggest  that we  stop treating other
people in a given  way ---  if they object to us  treating
them  in  that  given way ---  at least unless  there  are
truly  compelling  reasons  for  NOT   acceding  to  their
wishes.    Sexual  abuse  entails  sexual  activity  which
someone:                                                  
                                                          
  DOES NOT ACTIVELY WELCOME with autonomous power, or to  
                                                          
  which SOMEONE OBJECTS TO  with autonomous power, or     
                                                          
  CANNOT OBJECT TO          with autonomous power.        
                                                          
     Domineering people often define "proper behavior"  in
ways which are unilateral and/or independent of the hopes,
aspirations,   desires and  wishes  of  vulnerable people.
Such  definitions of "propriety"  have  all too often been
respected,  supported and formalized --- at the expense of
vulnerable  people;  and to the  advantage  of domineering
people.    Power  corrupts  and  absolute  power  corrupts
absolutely.   Domineering people behave in corrupting ways
that are in no sense proper.                              
                                                          
     Why  should any unilateral definitions of "propriety"
ever be respected, honored or even tolerated?    Are there
any  CIRCUMSTANCES in  which unilateral  definitions  will
facilitate  and/or  promote  both  personal  and  communal
integrities?  Have any examples of such CIRCUMSTANCES been
described  and confirmed by the vulnerable people who were
involved in them?    How  can  we be publicly,  openly and
honestly confident that such circumstances of UNILATERALLY
FACILITATING/PROMOTING  PERSONAL AND COMMUNAL  INTEGRITIES
can  exist  and/or have existed.     On  whose  authority?
God's?  Is God a unilateral abuser?                       
                                                          
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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