Albion

I don't think it'll make any difference. Atheists are seen as people with no moral or ethical grounding, which means that lying and cheating and deceiving are all OK. Which further means that any code of conduct atheists come up with will be seen as simple window dressing to make atheists more acceptable, and Christians won't believe it anyway because lying is part of what it means to be an atheist.

Stephen T-B

If atheists had a code of conduct and I didn't go along with it, would that mean I couldn't be an atheist? Would a committee consider my behaviour and officiallly exclude me if it didn't come up to standard? Would I be formally stripped of the right to call myself an atheist?
I think I'd rather like that.

GaryP

I fear you are correct.

The only way I see around this is to borrow from the Gay rights movement.

There has to be enough of us to come "out of the closet" about our non-belief. If people know some of their friends, co-workers, etc. are Atheists, it will put a human face on Atheism.

Recent examples, Lance Armstrong and Ted Williams. Sounds as if both were Atheists or at least humanists, yet it not widely known.

You can bet that the first time a Christian football player this coming season makes a game winning catch, he will be shouting it all over network TV.

Jamie_L

Atheist code of conduct:

1) All atheists are required not to believe in God.
2) There is no rule 2.



Jamie

Starboy

While your at it maybe you could see if Christians would adopt a code of conduct.

Buffman

Just a few thoughts about An American Atheist Code of Conduct which could be framed and placed next to the 10 Commandments in public facilities.

1. I am a sentient human being who does not believe in a supernatural God(s).
2. I accept full responsibility for my words and actions...or silence and inaction.
3. I will make every effort to maintain the highest personal and professional ethical standards.
4. I honor and defend the Constitution of the United States and all Amendments thereto, although I view myself as a law abiding citizen of the world.
5. I will become as well educated as circumstances permit.
6. I will seek the verifiable evidence prior to offering speculations.
7. I will do no harm to others unless in self-defense.
8. I will not knowingly lie or perjure myself.
9. I will not knowingly defame others or allow it to be done without challenge.
10. I will respect myself and others.
11. I will conduct my life with integrity, dignity and compassion.
12. I will defend the right to express individual conscience regardless of how much it might personally offend me.

These are just a few of my preliminary thoughts. They are not in any planned order other than # 1. Many could include the word "attempt" after "will" in order to deal with the realities of life. All I have done is quickly plagiarize and reword from other lists. This has been done more as a personal exercise in introspection than as an effort to sell something that appears to be unsellable. It forced me to consider what those things are that I really use to conduct my personal and social life. Not such a bad thing to do periodically.

Stephen T-B

Number 1 could be: I am an ahteist..

(It's a good list and that's it's weakness. Anyone not susbcribing to it admits he / she is a shit.)

Buffman

Steven T-B

Thanks for the comment. I was feeling rather lonely out on my limb. (Perhaps it was that sawing sound.)

However, that was exactly what I was aiming to achieve. Make those who read the list feel like they were un-patriotic, Un-American, intolerant s*******s if they didn't agree with at least 2-12...when compared with 1-4 of the 10 Commandments.

[ August 17, 2002: Message edited by: Buffman ]</p>

Defiant Heretic

I'd take out #4, Buffman. The Constitution establishes laws, not a moral code. Also, it can be altered, so we may not always agree with it. (the proposed pledge amendment comes to mind)

Other than that, it sounds like something I’d be willing to follow, however I’m still against expanding the definition of atheism to include anything other than the lack of religion.

We should think up a name for this code of conduct that shows that its for atheists, but not necessarily all atheists.

Buffman

Defiant Heretic

Thank you. Every thought is truly appreciated. I made this list as a brainstorming session...but I was the only one that attended until you and Stephen were kind enough to comment.

I'd take out #4, Buffman. The Constitution establishes laws, not a moral code. Also, it can be altered, so we may not always agree with it. (the proposed pledge amendment comes to mind)

I have no desire to establish a moral code for atheists. However, I do have a desire to promote all freethinkers as having ethical values as good as, if not better than, a blind faith belief in a 2,000 year old set of superstitious goat herder commandments. Can you think of a better set of guidelines/principles/personal ethical values with which to conduct one's daily activities and relationships? There is no promise of reward or threat of punishment involved. It is simply one way, and not necessarily the only way, of conducting one's life in these modern times. Just imagine the impact of this list being framed and placed beside the 10 Commandments in the public square where the latter is being forced to be displayed.

I included what I did in the 4th item to parry any stupid insinuation that a person must believe in the supernatural in order to be a loyal and patriotic American. We swear to defend the Constitution, not the Bible. When push comes to shove, can the Bible thumpers make that same claim. If they can't, then they are the ones open to the challenge of being un-American and un-patriotic. The Constitution establishes a federal republic form of democratic government. A government of laws.

Other than that, it sounds like something I’d be willing to follow, however I’m still against expanding the definition of atheism to include anything other than the lack of religion.

I am not attempting to expand atheism or freethought. I am merely attempting to describe the kinds of people that the majority of atheists and freethinkers really are. (That's why I mentioned that perhaps "attempt" should be included in some items.) ---It isn't a set of commandments to be followed. It is a list of the way that we "attempt" to live our lives without the benefit of make-believe.

We should think up a name for this code of conduct that shows that its for atheists, but not necessarily all atheists.

I just made up that header to see if I could stimulate some discussion (help). Perhaps something like A Freethinker's Guideline of Conduct; or The Rationalist's Code. Anything that would differentiate it from the religionist's set of 2,000 year old imperatives. I am not too keen on it being like the Humanist Manifesto II. That is a little too wordy and pompous for me. Besides, I don't agree with every item in it. I do agree with the items in my list and would be surprised to find many theists or atheists that didn't.

The more concise and meaningful, the better. Try making a list and you may encounter some interesting problems. However, please keep in mind that my real purpose is to offer a true and viable counter to the 10 Commandments being posted everywhere through legislative means. (This string was moved here from the Church-State forum only because it seemed more appropriate here. Perhaps it belongs elsewhere.)