Archive-name: Miscell/erosia03.txt Archive-author: David P. Thomas Archive-title: Erosian Theory and Practice Erosian Structure & Hierarchy Erosian Hierarchy and Erosian Structure are closely related. Both define and examine the proposed outline of the growth of Temple and the lesser Temples. In this text, we will examine Hierarchy and Structure, and in an afterword, we will look toward possible growth of the Temple in this year. (1989) Erosian Structure In the beginning there was the concept for The Temple of Eros, a structures system of beliefs created for those who followed the concepts of guiltless sexual activity and physical self study. From this structure, grew a need to develop further physical structures to define internal sets within the Erosian following. From this reasoning came the Temple of Eros and the Lesser Temples. The Temple is the all encompassing body of Erosians who study, follow and practice Erosian Theory. It is headed by the High Priest or Priestess, and takes ultimate responsibility for ritual, ceremony, and content of Erosian Theory. Erosian Theory supports and studies all forms of sexuality, with the exception of those mentioned in the Erosian Code of Conduct. The Temple of Eros seeks to break down the barrier of sexual guilt, frustration and segregation, and works diligently to remove the labels placed by society on those who do not conform to the "normals" of sexuality. Within the Temple of Eros, there are two recognized Lesser Temples. These are the Temple of Sappho, and the Temple of Satyr. The Temple of Sappho is a divison exclusively for women, and is inclusive of all styles, forms and orientations of women's sexuality. The Temple of Satyr is a division exclusively for men, and is inclusive of all styles, forms and orientations of male sexuality. These two lesser Temples support groups within themselves, known in the structured format as sub-temples. These Temples are created in order to more clearly define the subjects of study available within these bodies of learning. In each of the lesser temples, one initial sub-temple was formed at creation. In the Temple of Satyr is housed the Temple of Homos, devoted to the homosexual male study. In the Temple of Sappho is housed the Temple of Lesbos, devoted to lesbian female study. Membership in any Temple is limited only by sex, as orientation is considered an ever evolving growth pattern. Your acceptance is based upon membership into these temples and once a member, you are a member for life. Inactivity is never a basis for removal from a temple. Fig 1.a ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Temple of Eros ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Temple of Satyr ³ ³ Temple of Sapphos ³ ÀÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÙ ÚÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÁÄÄÄ¿ ³ Temple ³ ³ ³ ³ Temple ³ ³ ³ ³ of ³ ³ * ³ ³ of ³ ³ * ³ ³ Homos ³ ³ ³ ³ Lesbos ³ ³ ³ ÀÄÂÄÄÂÄÄÂÄÙ ÀÄÂÄÂÄÄÂÄÙ ÀÄÄÂÄÄÂÄÄÂÄÙ ÀÄÂÄÂÄÂÙ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ These growth areas will serve sub-temple specialties Areas marked with an asterisk (*) are marked for future growth. Within any sub-temple, Erosians have the option to study specialties and coordintate this study into a group. See Hierarchy for coordination principals. Based on this principal and structure, the following rules regarding memberships apply. 1. Only the Temple of Eros, The Temple of Satyr and the Temple of Sappho may induct and initiate members. Lesser temples may submit and upon approval utilize induction principals for Erosians seeking specific studies. Lesser temples should formulate a decisive program of induction, training and codes for their practice, submit this information to the Temple of Eros, and structure their programs after higher Temples. Any Erosian seeking to enter into his or her own study program should first seek a Priest or Priestess level in one of the major Temples. 2. All lesser Temples are required to maintain records of inductions, studies, ritual and learnings via practice related to their course of study. These records are to be submitted to The Temple of Eros regularly for inclusion in the monthly Erosian Newsletter. These studies support and defend the position of Erosian Theory at work in differing sexual practices 3. All members of lesser Temples are encouraged to keep records regarding sexual experiences. This includes but is not limited to masturbation, coitus, special practice in alternative lifestyle sex, group encounters, etc. Record keeping is especially encouraged while engaged in lesser temple projects and studies. Erosian Heirarchy Erosian Hierarchy is developed to handle Temple structure and maintain sound Erosian Principals. This hierarchy is set up in such away as to allow growth and development to anyone who desires it. The hierarchy is as follows: ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ ³ ³ High Priest/Priestess ³ ³ Temple of Eros ³ ³ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Priest / Priestess ³ ³ Priest / Priestess ³ ³ Temple of Satyr ³ ³ Temple of Sappho ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Priest/Priestess ³ ³ Priest/Priestess ³ ³ Sub-Temples ³ ³ Sub-Temples ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ The High Priest/Priestess dictates policy, and aids in structuring the basis for the lesser temples. The High Priest/Priestess duties also include the initiation of all lesser Priests/Priestess and clarification of Temple policy and rules. Priests/Priestess of the Temple of Satyr and the Temple of Sappho are responsible for all actions of the members of their temples, the induction of new members, the initiation of new members, the study programs and teachers of the inductee programs, lesser temple ritual, and the formation of special interest study groups. These Priest/Priestess are answerable directly to The High Priest/Priestess. Lesser Temple Priests are those Erosians who, through special study and diligence have achieved the level and knowledge of Priest/Priestess and desire to form their own lesser temple (special study group). These lesser temple Priests will be directly responsible for new lesser temple ritual, study aids, group direction, etc. They will report to the Priest/Priestess of their sponsoring Temple frequently regarding their ongoing efforts and endevors. Erosians need not join each level of this structure, nor need they persue advancement. Every initiated Erosian is a member of the Temple of Eros. His or her involvement in lesser temple activity is strictly on a as-desired basis. Lesser temples simply offer the broadbased Erosian Structure a quick and efficent solution to individual desires and interests. --