TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR ATHEISTS

[Solitary]

1. The highest ideals are human intelligence, creativity and love. Respect these above all.

2. Do not put things or even ideas above other human beings. (Let's scream at each other about Kindle versus iPad, solar versus nuclear, Republican versus Libertarian, Garth Brooks versus Sun Ra— but when your house is on fire, I'll be there to help.)

3. Say what you mean, even when talking to yourself. (What used to be an oath to (G)od is now quite simply respecting yourself.)

4. Put aside some time to rest and think. (If you're religious, that might be the Sabbath; if you're a Vegas magician, that'll be the day with the lowest grosses.)

5. Be there for your family. Love your parents, your partner, and your children. (Love is deeper than honor, and parents matter, but so do spouse and children.)

6. Respect and protect all human life. (Many believe that "Thou shalt not kill" only refers to people in the same tribe. I say it's all human life.)

7. Keep your promises. (If you can't be sexually exclusive to your spouse, don't make that deal.)

8. Don't steal. (This includes magic tricks and jokes — you know who you are!)

9. Don't lie. (You know, unless you're doing magic tricks and it's part of your job. Does that make it OK for politicians, too?)

10. Don't waste too much time wishing, hoping, and being envious; it'll make you bugnutty.

Have to make sure I put what I don't write in quotation marks and have some people get their torches out!  :roll:   :P    Solitary

[Plu]

I think I prefer the "I really rather you didn't"s from the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti monster.

1. I'd really rather you didn't act like a sanctimonious holier-than-thou ass when describing my noodly goodness. If some people don't believe in me, that's okay. Really, I'm not that vain. Besides, this isn't about them so don't change the subject.

2. I'd really rather you didn't use my existence as a means to oppress, subjugate, punish, eviscerate, and/or, you know, be mean to others. I don't require sacrifices, and purity is for drinking water, not people.

3. I'd really rather you didn't judge people for the way they look, or how they dress, or the way they talk, or, well, just play nice, okay? Oh, and get this into your thick heads: woman = person. man = person. Samey = Samey. One is not better than the other, unless we're talking about fashion and I'm sorry, but I gave that to women and some guys who know the difference between teal and fuchsia.

4. I'd really rather you didn't indulge in conduct that offends yourself, or your willing, consenting partner of legal age AND mental maturity. As for anyone who might object, I think the expression is "go fuck yourself," unless they find that offensive in which case they can turn off the TV for once and go for a walk for a change.

5. I'd really rather you didn't challenge the bigoted, misogynistic, hateful ideas of others on an empty stomach. Eat, then go after the bitches.

6. I'd really rather you didn't build multi million-dollar synagogues / churches / temples / mosques / shrines to my noodly goodness when the money could be better spent (take your pick):
I. Ending poverty
II. Curing diseases
III. Living in peace, loving with passion, and lowering the cost of cable
I might be a complex-carbohydrate omniscient being, but I enjoy the simple things in life. I ought to know. I AM the creator.

7. I'd really rather you didn't go around telling people I talk to you. You're not that interesting. Get over yourself. And I told you to love your fellow man, can't you take a hint?

8. I'd really rather you didn't do unto others as you would have them do unto you if you are into, um, stuff that uses a lot of leather/lubricant/vaseline. If the other person is into it, however (pursuant to #4), then have at it, take pictures, and for the love of Mike, wear a CONDOM! Honestly, it's a piece of rubber. If I didn't want it to feel good when you did it I would have added spikes, or something.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I don't do Commandments, thanks.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

I don't do Commandments, thanks.

True dat

[Brian37]

1. The highest ideals are human intelligence, creativity and love. Respect these above all.

2. Do not put things or even ideas above other human beings. (Let's scream at each other about Kindle versus iPad, solar versus nuclear, Republican versus Libertarian, Garth Brooks versus Sun Ra— but when your house is on fire, I'll be there to help.)

3. Say what you mean, even when talking to yourself. (What used to be an oath to (G)od is now quite simply respecting yourself.)

4. Put aside some time to rest and think. (If you're religious, that might be the Sabbath; if you're a Vegas magician, that'll be the day with the lowest grosses.)

5. Be there for your family. Love your parents, your partner, and your children. (Love is deeper than honor, and parents matter, but so do spouse and children.)

6. Respect and protect all human life. (Many believe that "Thou shalt not kill" only refers to people in the same tribe. I say it's all human life.)

7. Keep your promises. (If you can't be sexually exclusive to your spouse, don't make that deal.)

8. Don't steal. (This includes magic tricks and jokes — you know who you are!)

9. Don't lie. (You know, unless you're doing magic tricks and it's part of your job. Does that make it OK for politicians, too?)

10. Don't waste too much time wishing, hoping, and being envious; it'll make you bugnutty.

Have to make sure I put what I don't write in quotation marks and have some people get their torches out!  :roll:   :P    Solitary

Sorry, we don't need to compete with dogma by creating dogma ourselves. And this list although well intended still has the same flaws as the theists.

"Respect" what and when? No, first off I hate that word. "Respect" is an abused word that for most means "don't bruise my ego". I used the word "value". I value human rights but I do not value all the things a human might say or do. I value the right to make any claim you want, but I also value the right to call bullshit on it if it makes no sense.

6. Respect and protect all human life.

Ok, so if someone believes killing abortion doctors or infidels we should "respect" that? I agree that we should not be vigilantes and murder them for revenge. But I will not "respect" the claims, and I would have any violent person arrested and charged with a crime.

5. Be there for your family. Love your parents, your partner, and your children. (Love is deeper than honor, and parents matter, but so do spouse and children.)

Even if they are abusive or neglectful?

9. Don't lie. (You know, unless you're doing magic tricks and it's part of your job. Does that make it OK for politicians, too?)

Ok, say you have a female friend who comes to your house whom you know has been abused by their spouse, you let her in. Hours later the husband shows up and asks where she is. You'd tell him?

The point is that morality is not label based and situations are contextual. Our species has always displayed the same range of actions both cruel and compassionate. The good ideas and well intended ideas in this are still contextual therefore cannot be listed as absolutes as arbitrary blanket solutions to what is in reality a complex existence.

You can sum this entire list with a simple GUIDELINE not a rule list written in stone.

Don't physically harm others unless it is self defense in an immediate context. Be yourself, keep your nose clean, do your best, accept yourself, and know when to get out of an abusive relationship.

And if you, meaning anyone, needs a list as an adult telling you what the right thing is, then you have had problems long before you got to a list.

[Cocoa Beware]

No thanks. This would give a measure of credence to those who speak of atheism as if it were another religion.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

11. Nobody has the power to order any of these edicts on me so piss off.. no offense.

[Solitary]

Oh yee of little faith.

The highest ideals are human intelligence, creativity and love. Respect these above all.

You have not seen the light my son.    Solitary