7. In that spirit, let us continue. Some have equated "Polytheist" or "Pagan" with "swinger", or at least with a lassez faire attitude, to the extent that trust itself becomes impossible. How can you trust someone who has no standards that he is willing to hold himself to?
   
   
   
   

   As a religious issue, we have to insist on the honoring of commitments, because if such a more breaks down, commitments become impossible to make and our lives are the poorer for it. Adultery or cheating on one's beloved, without the clear consent of the one cheated on, won't be accepted. It is a betrayal, both of the other person and the values we seek to promote, and it puts another at risk without her consent.
   
   If someone ends a marriage for frivolous reasons (like, the wife had turned 40 and those 20 year old girls seemed receptive), this will be considered a form of adultery for the purposes of this rule. Why would we want to associate with an oath breaker, anyway? Remember those marriage vows?
   
   Such an act isn't exactly an affirmation of the discarded spouse's right to make her own destiny, now is it? If we can't count on others to honor their commitments, then how can we even bring ourselves to make the compromises needed to make meaningful relationships work? If others begin to feel that they can no longer enter into arrangements requiring them to invest trust in others, then what does this do to our freedom to enter into such arrangements? Now, isn't that loss of freedom, for us, our business?
   
   The discarded spouse had acted under a mutually accepted understanding that one of the parties made under false pretences. In doing so and being faithful, she passed up other romantic opportunities, and maybe a number of nonromantic opportunities, as she invested time in her marriage. In the process of denying her the opportunity of knowing what it was that she was actually getting herself in for by entering this relationship, the one betraying her trust has undermined her right to choose for herself whether or not the actual arrangement was one that she wished to accept. This is a denial of freedom for the one so lightly discarded. This is an imposition on her.
   
   Our embrace of individual freedom as one of the highest goods thus forbids tolerance in this case, instead of mandating it as some would unthinkingly claim. This is one rule, here, that we will attempt to spread the acceptance of.
   
   And no, I didn't vote for Clinton in the last election.





8. One of the principles we must insist on compliance with, as part of the price of admission, is the weaker form of the golden rule.
   
   

   "Do not do unto others, that which you would find hateful if done to yourself."

   Given that rule, let us now ask ourselves, as we look back on occasions when one person has gotten affectionate with another's date, if any of us would have wanted to be that person at that moment? So, don't be the person who does that to someone else. It's crass, it leads to an atmosphere or discomfort and distrust, and occasional fistfights, none of which we need.
   
   

   
   
   This rule should not be taken to mean that if you see your old girlfriend or boyfriend with someone else, that it's OK to make a scene. Maybe you really were betrayed, or mistreated. Feel free to talk about it to those who wish to listen, so long as you aren't saying anything about your ex behind her (or his) back, that you won't say to his (or her) face. As mutual friends, if we think that she has acted hastily, we might try to persuade her to talk things over with you in a calm fashion.
   
   But we all must respect a person's right to make such decisions for herself, regardless of whether it seems a wise one or not - and that means all of us. We will not be tolerant of third parties who create trouble when the one who is being left attempts to peacefully speak to one leaving him or her. That conversation is between the two of them.
   
   This is a given, as it must be, lest our group be reduced to being a place where stable relationships die, because the often manipulatively slandered ex-mate is not allowed to speak up for himself. If we create an environment favorable to attempts to create rifts between those who care about each other - be it out of a desire to win the affection of another's mate, or jealousy toward another's happiness, or simple spite - then we will disproportionately retain those who would resort to them. Thus, leading to their increased frequency.
   
   This would be contrary to our very reason for being, which is the promotion of such stable and caring bonds between people. That between lovers, and those of extended family and community which eventually result as these relationships lead into marraige.
   
   If we were to establish a set of commandments, one of them would surely be "Thou shalt communicate openly, and encourage thy neighbor to do likewise." This is one of the reasons why.
   
   
   However, do not imagine that we will provide a supportive environment for stalking, or even a safe one. As we've made clear, there are legitimate means present to deal with the legitimate concerns you may have. But, if we will be intolerant of those who use intimidation or create a disruption in order to keep those apart who would naturally, on their own, be together, then we will be even more intolerant of those who would use such means to be with those who would not freely choose to be with them.
   
   Do not doubt our resolve in defending our own. We will call the police if you make real trouble, we will prosecute, and testify against you, we will record as much of the incident as possible, and we will physically restrain you until the law arrives. If she tells you to leave her alone - you do it. The same goes if the one stalked is male. If you feel that bringing a weapon will give you an edge, remember than a number of members of the Traditionalist community are gun enthusiasts who've racked up years of combat experience in the military and law enforcement, and we don't pat our friends down at the door.
   
   Are you sure that you want to go there, and if so, what's your blood type?

Let's move on.