The Forum

The Rule 3 · The Daily Rule of the Order

The four Gospels say who he was. This book says how we live.

3.1The assembly meets each month in the forum. Children sit with the adults.

3.2The forum has five rules.

3.3First: whoever would object must first restate the other’s position, until the other nods. Only then may they speak.

3.4Second: strike the argument, never the person.

3.5Third: whoever changes their mind in public shall be applauded. This is the highest honour of the forum.

3.6Fourth: "I do not know" is permitted. It costs nothing.

3.7Fifth: no winner is declared at the close.

3.8If at the close no one’s belief has moved at all, the meeting was held for nothing.

3.9Eloquence is not the art of defeating people.

3.10Eloquence is the art of making a dark thing sayable.

3.11Whoever uses eloquence to defeat people is of the same kind as a tyrant, differing only in weapon.

3.12Therefore the training of the forum is half in speaking and half in listening.

3.13Listening is not waiting for the other to finish. Listening is preparing to be persuaded.

3.14Whoever has never been persuaded in the forum is not strong. They are deaf.