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1. Courage. Overcome
fear to test your ideas with others or to raise questions
about ideas you don't fully understand.
2. Competition of Ideas.
Nobody has a monopoly on the Truth. Resist the feeling that
your ego or dignity is being attacked if others severely challenge
the ideas you bring to the table. Ideas are meant to be challenged,
so that bad or defective ideas can be replaced with better
ideas that will advance Truth, Love and Justice for the good
of all. Challenge will also sharpen our ability to communicate
our ideas.
3. Dignity of the Person.
In challenging someone else's ideas, don't attack or insult
the person who advances the idea. Separate the message from
the messenger.
4. Tradition. Don't lightly
discard ideas accepted in the past. The burden of persuasion
is on the person challenging old traditions or decisions previously
debated and agreed upon, not only to point out the errors
of the past, but also to offer a better alternative.
5. Inquisitiveness. There
may be bad, ignorant or even absurd ideas, but there are no
bad, ignorant or absurd questions. Treat every question as
a good teacher should, with respect for the person who is
seeking to understand the Truth.
6. Enthusiasm. Fear not
the heat, excitement or intensity of debate. This passion
is healthy and natural for those committed to the pursuit
of the Truth. Don't throw cold water on the normal exhilaration
and emotions people feel when they are reaching out to the
borders of reason and new ideas.
7. Compassion. If you
have problems with the personality or behavior of any member
of GJM, avoid even subtle criticisms of that person with others.
This breeds distrust and divisiveness. Take him or her aside
privately and discuss your observations and concerns on a
one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of mutual respect, solidarity
and compassion.
8. Charity. Everyone
in GJM is human and therefore imperfect. To strengthen the
unity of the movement, it's better to strengthen all our members
and help them become more effective in reaching out to others,
than to exclude or pull anyone down.
9. Solidarity. We should
continue to perfect ourselves and GJM as models for those
pursuing Truth, Love and Justice for all. This means we need
everyone pulling together to attract the rest of humanity
to GJM's principles and new vision for a more just and humane
future for all.
10. Humility. No one
is an expert on how to gain widespread acceptance of a truly
revolutionary advance in moral philosophy, as represented
by GJM's principles. We are all amateurs in the process of
communicating revolutionary social thought.
11. Patience. As an advocate
of new and revolutionary ideas, discipline yourself to the
fact that acceptance and implementation of our ideas will
necessarily be evolutionary, somewhat unpredictable and highly
experimental.
12. Tolerance. Without
losing your enthusiasm and passionate commitment to our principles
of justice, be patient, friendly and tolerant of others who
have not yet internalized these ideas.
13. Maturity. In the
"war of ideas," adjust your level of expectations
in our moral crusade to each distinct phase in GJM's evolutionary
development-- the "guerilla war" phase, the "beachhead"
phase, the "victory" phase and the "institution
building" phase--and to the realities of who and what
are committed to carrying out that phase.
14. Commitment. Presume
that every other person in our core group is 100% committed
spiritually and intellectually to the principles of GJM. But
also acknowledge that each of us must be the sole judge of
how to allocate his or her limited time and resources to GJM,
as well as to family and other commitments. Therefore, accept
graciously whatever anyone has contributed in the past or
is willing to contribute in the future.
15. Initiative. If you
are ready to propose a new initiative, be prepared to assume
responsibility to carry it out, if no one else volunteers.
16. Integrity. Don't
promise what you can't deliver. If you do commit yourself
and then discover that you can't deliver, ask for help. If
you're uncertain, don't promise but try your best.
17. Persistence. There
are three keys to gaining acceptance of revolutionary ideas:
Persistence, Persistence and Persistence.
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