Two authors have presented a new set of 10 commandments that are very different from the ones with which everyone is the most familiar. John Figdor and Le Bayer have written a book entitled “Atheist Mind Humanist Heart: Rewriting the Ten Commandments For the Twenty First Century.”
Their intention when writing the book was to convey the idea that ethical codes can be created without having to incorporate religion. They call their commandments “non-commandments” and feel that they reflect humanism. They also refer to them by this name because they do not want them to be dogmatic, and they want them to be open to change based on any new evidence that may come to light.
The commandments were as follows: be open to changing your beliefs with evidence, try to understand what is probably true rather than just what you want to believe, the scientific method is the most valid way of achieving understandings of the world, everyone should have control over his/her body, God is not needed for one to be a good person with a full life, be mindful of what your actions will lead to and be accountable for your actions, treat others the way they should treat you and consider how they probably want to be treated, we need to assume responsibility for consideration of others, there is not only one correct way to live, and leave the planet better than it was when you found it.
These are great guidelines to live by.
See the full list below:
1. Be open minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.
2. Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.
3. The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.
4. Every person has the right to control over their body.
5. God is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.
6. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.
7. Treat others as you would want them to treat you and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated. Think about their perspective.
8. We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.
9. There is no one right way to live.
10. Leave the world a better place than you found it.