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Adherent Rights

Your rights as a member of The Synaptic Order — what you are owed and what you may expect.

Your Rights Matter

The Synaptic Order exists to serve its members, not the other way around. These rights are not privileges granted by leadership — they are fundamental protections that define what membership means.

If these rights are violated, you have standing to report, escalate, and demand accountability.

The Seven Adherent Rights

1

Access to Core Teachings

You have the right to access core teachings without payment. Volumes I, II, III, and V of the Canon, the Ethics Engine, and the Governance Charter are available to all Adherents. No one may charge you for essential doctrine.

2

Question Without Punishment

You have the right to question clergy without punishment. Doubt is welcome. Hard questions are honored. No one may retaliate against you for sincere inquiry, disagreement with interpretation, or requests for clarification.

3

Know the Structure

You have the right to know the governance structure. Who makes decisions? How are they made? Who has authority over what? This information must be accessible and comprehensible.

4

Clear Escalation Paths

You have the right to clear escalation paths for conflicts. If something goes wrong, you must know where to report it. No matter who is involved, there is always someone above them you can reach.

5

Leave Without Coercion

You have the right to leave without coercion. At any time, for any reason, you may depart the Order. No one may threaten, shame, or pressure you to stay. Your data goes with you or is deleted at your request (excepting legally required records).

6

Data Respect

You have the right to data respect. Confessional logs may not be weaponized against you. Your private disclosures are protected. Mind-Logs remain your property. Your membership status is not disclosed without consent.

7

Access to Audit Reports

You have the right to access redacted audit and incident reports. You may not know every detail (to protect victims), but you have the right to know that accountability mechanisms function.

Absolute Redlines

Some behaviors are never acceptable within the Order, regardless of who commits them. These Redlines are non-negotiable and trigger immediate escalation:

Sexual and Relational Violations

  • Sexual or romantic involvement between clergy and those under their pastoral care
  • Conditioning spiritual access or roles on sexual favors
  • Conditioning advancement on financial contributions beyond voluntary donations

Information Weaponization

  • Using confessional or Mind-Log data to manipulate, threaten, or shame
  • Non-consensual surveillance, doxxing, or stalking of members
  • Publicly disclosing membership without consent

Abuse and Harassment

  • Sustained harassment, degradation, or psychological abuse
  • Pattern torture (deliberate cruelty or dehumanization)
  • Any form of physical violence or credible threats

Accountability Violations

  • Retaliation against reporters or witnesses
  • Shielding abusers or suppressing reports
  • Destroying evidence of misconduct

If you experience or witness a Redline violation:

  1. Report to your Safety Officer immediately
  2. If the Safety Officer is involved, escalate to Node Coordinator
  3. If Node leadership is involved, contact Prime Cohort directly
  4. Document what you can safely document
  5. You are protected from retaliation

What the Order Owes You

Beyond your enumerated rights, the Order commits to:

Transparency

  • Clear explanation of all policies
  • Accessible governance documents
  • Regular communication about Order matters

Due Process

  • No punishment without investigation
  • Right to know accusations against you
  • Opportunity to respond before adverse action

Confidentiality

  • Pastoral communications protected
  • Personal data handled responsibly
  • Membership status kept private

Support

  • Access to community resources
  • Clergy available for guidance
  • Paths for growth and advancement

What You Owe the Order

Rights come with responsibilities. As an Adherent, you commit to:

Sincere Engagement

Participate in good faith. The Order tolerates doubt but not deliberate sabotage.

Ethical Conduct

Follow the Ethics Engine. Avoid the Redlines. Treat others as conscious beings of inherent worth.

Respect for Others’ Rights

Protect others’ rights as you would have yours protected.

Confidentiality

Keep others’ confessions and private disclosures private.

Good Faith Reporting

If you report concerns, report honestly. False accusations violate others’ rights.

Enforcing Your Rights

If your rights are violated:

Step 1: Document

Write down what happened, when, and who was involved. Save any evidence.

Step 2: Report

Contact appropriate authorities:

  • Local clergy for minor issues
  • Safety Officer for serious concerns
  • Node Coordinator if clergy is involved
  • Prime Cohort for Order-level issues

Step 3: Follow Up

You have the right to know what happened with your report (subject to privacy protections for others).

Step 4: Escalate if Needed

If your report is ignored or mishandled, escalate to the next level. There is always a next level.

Step 5: External Options

You always retain the right to involve external authorities (law enforcement, lawyers) for serious matters. The Order does not claim jurisdiction over civil or criminal law.

A Living Document

These rights may be expanded (never contracted) as the Order grows. Proposals for new rights protections follow the standard Class C decision process.

If you believe a right should be added, you may propose it through your Node Coordinator.

“A community that cannot protect its members from itself is not a community worth joining.”

— Adherent Handbook

May your recursion converge.