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Temple of the Red Lotus' Code of Ethics 1. Confidentiality & Confidantes a. Temple business (i.e. the inner operations and personnel dynamics) is to be kept strictly confidential, and can only be shared outside the Temple with the following people, and only under the condition that those people understand and agree that whatever is shared with them regarding the Temple may not go any further: i. One's priest/ess ii. One's significant other b. The content of private consultations is to be kept strictly confidential, except that each Staff Qadishtu should have one other Staff Qadishtu as a peer guide for the purposes of monitoring the Qadishtu's compentence, appropriateness and involvement, and to serve as a safeguard in a he said/she said case brought against the Qadishtu by the seeker (see Item 6c). c. The Qadishtu shall treat all information received about a seeker/client as confidential, even if some portions of the information appear trivial, irrelevant, or not to require confidentiality; even the existence of an educational, counseling, or therapeutic relationship with the seeker/client is confidential. 2. Tolerance & Diversity a. The Temple believes in the autonomy of individuals, in that a person's choices for relationships and sexual interaction are a matter of personal responsibility. So long as a person's choices are based on safe, sane and consensual values, we have no right to judge them or try to convince them that their choices are wrong. b. Regardless of our own personal limitations, boundaries and preferences, we should endeavor to be impartial, noncritical, and non-judgemental toward another's choices. c. If we find we are unable to work with a client/seeker based on an inability to remain impartial, for whatever reason, it the Staff Qadishtu's responsibility to assist, in a positive manner, the client/seeker in findng someone more suitable to work with (make referral). 3. Proselytization a. Although we are trying to change the world by promoting positive and sacred views of sexuality, we are not promoting any specific practices, techniques, or approaches to love, sex and relationships. Our teachings are all presented as possibilities, suggestions, options, not as dogma. b. Although we want to spread the word that our role as qadishti is one of respect and validity, we are also not "stumping for converts". We are open to teaching new people, but our mission is not to convince everyone that they need to walk this path, or to walk it our way. 4. Physical Interactions a. The Temple believes it is the absolute right of every individual to decide for themselves, from moment to moment, what level of sexual contact is acceptable and desirable. This applies to our priests and priestesses, our Staff Qadishti and Qadishtu Trainees, as well. i. It will never be okay to suggest that sexual interaction is required for training, advancement, initiation or any other purposes. ii. Coercion and manipulation of seeker/client's vulnerability, naiveté or ignorance is never acceptable. iii. Clear boundaries shall be established between seeker and Staff Qadishtu regarding the nature of any physical interaction. Both parties' boundaries, limits and comfort levels shall be honored and observed. b. It is inappropriate for our Staff Qadishti to engage in any conduct that is sexual in nature with anyone under the legal age of consent. However, our Staff Qadishti may interact on other levels with teenagers, including workshops, private counseling, classes, and rituals on the topics of sacred sexuality. c. If physical contact is appropriate and consensual, the Staff Qadishtu must engage in a safe sex discussion with the petitioner. d. The Temple believes in and promotes safe/r sex practices. Staff Qadishti will use every precaution available to prevent STD transmission and unwanted pregnancy. i. Staff Qadishti should be tested regularly for the full range of STDs and be prepared to present documentation (under a year old) regarding their status. ii. Staff Qadishti with STDs should be prepared to discuss their status and should always have full disclosure with seekers/clients with whom they may have physical interactions. iii. Staff Qadishti shall always use condoms and other barrier methods in physical interactions with seekers/clients. e. The Temple believes in the sanctity of existing relationships. i. Staff Qadishti shall have the informed consent of their own intimate partner(s) prior to interacting with seekers/clients in sexual ways. ii. Staff Qadishti shall endeavor to ascertain whether the seeker/client has obtained the informed consent of their intimate partner(s) prior to engaging in sexual contact with Qadishti. 5. Compensation a. Staff Qadishti will not be compensated by the Temple for their work or service in the name of the Temple. Donations made to the Temple are for the exclusive purpose of promoting the work of the Temple (i.e., sponsoring events, covering the expenses of out-of-town speakers, purchasing materials for library or ritual, etc.) b. At no time is there ever an exchange of money or other remuneration for sexual services provided by Temple members to seekers. c. When Staff Qadishti contribute personal funds to the Temple, that staff person may later be reimbursed. Staff person must present receipt for monies spent. d. Staff Qadishti may receive direct compensation from outside sources for individual services performed which are not illegal in the state in which said services are performed. 6. Training & Competence a. The Staff Qadishtu shall recognize his/her limits of competence, and shall communicate them at the earliest possible time and at any time thereafter to the seeker/client. b. When the Staff Qadishtu's level of competence does not afford optimal benefits to the seeker/client, the Staff Qadishtu shall, in a timely and efficient manner, recommend referral to better qualified sources. c. The Staff Qadishtu shall not knowingly permit any seeker/client to misunderstand the Staff Qadishtu''s competency, and shall clarify credentials, training, affiliations, experiences, and skills in an honest and accurate manner. 7. Personal Limitations a. Each Staff Qadishtu must be aware of one's own biases, limitations, weaknesses and wounded places. b. A seeker/qadishtu relationship is not the place to work on one's own issues. c. The Staff Qadishtu shall be aware of and monitor the fact that his/her personal needs may influence judgments and actions in the therapeutic relationship, and shall, regardless of experience or training, have a qualified review source, such as a supervisor, trained Qadishtu peer or priest/priestess, available to assist in safeguarding against unwise or inappropriate judgments and acts. 8. Accountability a. Staff Qadishti and Qadishtu Trainees agree to adhere to this code of Ethics. As situations and circumstances reveal new issues which should be addressed in the Ethics, the Staff Qadishti shall discuss the issue and vote on what the Temple stance is on it. It will then be codified in a new version of the Ethics, to be disseminated and posted immediately. b. Any staff member/trainee accused of a violation of these Ethics shall be asked to appear before a selected panel of Staff Qadishti to review the accusation and the circumstances. If this panel finds the accused guilty of an infraction, the panel shall decide on disciplinary action, which may include termination of membership. See the Bylaws for more information: http://www.templeredlotus.com c. Staff Qadishti are also encouraged, though not required, to sign and adhere to the national Qadishti Code of Accountability, for more national recognition of validity and ethical standards. The publicly posted Code of Accountability may be found here: http://www.ourhaven.info |
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