nacle of civilization) and the superb imprecision of the atom bomb.
"There are natural moral laws, I believe," stated Mr. Heard. He referred to Jung, who said that he'd gotten thinkers to agree that Truth (the pivot of Science) was an absolute necessity, that Compassion was an absolute necessity, but that there was hopeless disagreement on the matter of the tremendous psychophysical force: Sex. Mr. Heard then went on to discuss fanaticism and ended by stating that fanaticism always ends in life-rejection. "Remember, the human being is unfinished. You may finish the story as you please." "Man, alone, has the potential for growth." Mr. Heard suggested that we use it before it was too late. In fact, he indicated that it might already be too late, but we had to try. In closing he referred to "Man's continuing search for ecstasy."
HEADY QUESTIONS
In the question period which followed, many interesting topics were explored. One, especially interesting, occurred when Dr. Ziferstein said he didn't like the term "Sexual Psychopath" at all; that it had derived from the old CPI (Constitutional Psychopathic Inferiority) Theory. He added that he believed that it was impossible to do good psychiatry inside prisons as they are now constituted. He believes it is more important to change the atmosphere of the prison to the atmosphere of a hospital or 'therapeutic community. "Then," he said, "we psychiatrists will come in and try to help." He cited Vacaville (California) as a good example of what he
meant.
Mr. Heard, in answer to a question, stated that we needed to set up a system which was absolutely honest and not life-rejecting. That
we must get people who exemplify this. He referred to the "Laws of the Medes and the Persians:" For a boy to become a man in their society he must be able to do three things-1. Ride; 2. Shoot a bow; 3. Tell the Truth.
"Sex Values-1961" was one of the headiest programs compressed into a small period of time this reporter has ever seen.
MORE MATTACHINE
"REORGANIZATION BULLETIN! Effective 15 March 1961, the National Headquarters of the Mattachine Society, Inc., San Francisco, Calif., revoked all area council charters in a manner contrary to the provisions of the Society's constitution.
"At a special business meeting of the New York Area Council held Monday, 27 March, the following resolutions were passed:
"1. To sever relations with the Mattachine Society, Inc. and to continue activities in the New York area' under the name of the Mattachine Society of New York.
"2. To draw up a constitution under which the new society will operate.
"3. To offer membership to all members and pledgers of the New York Area Council upon their expression of desire to be associated with the new organization.
"4. To approach the other former area councils of the Mattachine Society, Inc., with a view toward exploring the possibility of forming a federation.
"Your cooperation in the Mattachine Society of New York is invited and solicited. Charter membership is now open. Dues: $5.00 a year."
A.M.
From New York Mattachine Newsletter, Vol. VI, No. 4, April, 1961.
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