A New Ten Commandments

[grioghar]

The Ten Commandments of Moses continue to be held up as a complete moral and ethical code and guide to correct behavior. In the US, controversy continues over attempts to place this code in public places. Yet even most moderate Christians, and I presume moderate Muslims and Jews, can see that these “Commandments” focus only on suppressing other religious view and stating several somewhat obvious rules of a simple civil society. I know others have proposed a new set of commandments, but I thought I would give it a try. What are people’s reactions to the following list (which admittedly was inspired by the list in Dawkin’s The God Delusion, from which I heavily borrowed):

A New Ten Commandments


1. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
2. Treat the natural world with respect.
a. Protect and preserve the environment.
b. Treat living things with respect.
c. Seek to create a better world.
3. Rejoice in your life.
a. Live life with a sense of joy and wonder.
b. Appreciate what you have.
c. Look after your emotional, physical, social and intellectual health.
4. Seek knowledge and understanding.
a. Always seek to be growing in your knowledge and understanding.
b. Always check your understanding, ideas and beliefs against the best available facts or information, and be ready to discard any belief if it does not conform to this best available information.
5. Seek moderation in all thoughts and actions.
a. Understand your cravings and do not be a slave to them.
6. Have integrity in all your words, actions and thought.
a. Keep your agreements and promises.
b. Take responsibility for your action.
7. Protect and care for the weak and vulnerable.
8. Recognize harm and act to prevent, stop or minimize it.
9. Respect the right of others to act and think differently; seek to understand the reasons for their thoughts and behaviors. Honor their contribution to the richness of your world.
10. Strive to make the world a better place
a. Leave a contribution for future generations
b. Seek to further the knowledge, understanding and wisdom of others
c. Nurture and support the ethical, intellectual and emotional growth of your family