Atheist Mind Humanist Heart
 | |
| Author | Lex Bayer, John Figdor |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Isaac Tobin |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Humanism, Atheism, Morality, Secular ethics, Science of morality |
| Publisher | Rowman & Littlefield |
Publication date | 2014-09-26 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover), ebook, Audiobook |
| Pages | 188 |
| ISBN | 978-1442236790 |
Atheist Mind, Humanist Heart: Rewriting the Ten Commandments for the Twenty-first Century is a 2014 book by Lex Bayer and Humanist Chaplain, John Figdor, that has been described as a manual for working out one’s own epistemological and secular ethical beliefs.[1] The book sets out to address what the authors see as a need among a growing number of Americans to talk about their beliefs, and lead happy and moral lives when they don't believe in gods or aren't comfortable with religion. It offers a clear set of constructive, positive principles to live by for agnostics, atheists, humanists and non-religious.[2][3]
The authors produce a personal list of ten “non-commandments”, although readers are consistently advised to treat these as debatable illustrations, rather than as a completed non-theist moral framework.[1] To further this point, the authors organized the Rethink Prize: a crowdsourcing competition to create a secular alternative to the Ten Commandments. The contest drew more than 2,800 submissions from 18 countries and 27 U.S. states. Winners were selected by a panel of judges.[4][5][6]
The Ten Non-Commandments
[edit]The authors personal list of ten “non-commandments” [6]
- The world is real, and our desire to understand the world is the basis for belief.
- We can perceive the world only through our human senses.
- We use rational thought and language as tools for understanding the world.
- All truth is proportional to the evidence.
- There is no God.
- We all strive to live a happy life. We pursue things that make us happy and avoid things that do not.
- There is no universal moral truth. Our experiences and preferences shape our sense of how to behave.
- We act morally when the happiness of others makes us happy.
- We benefit from living in, and supporting, an ethical society.
- All our beliefs are subject to change in the face of new evidence, including these.
The New Ten Commandments for the 21st Century
[edit]The ten winning beliefs of the Rethink Prize,[5] a crowdsourcing competition to create a secular alternative to the Ten Commandments[4]
- Be open-minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.
- Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.
- The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.
- Every person has the right to control of their body.
- God is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.
- Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.
- Treat others as you would want them to treat you, and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated. Think about their perspective.
- We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.
- There is no one right way to live.
- Leave the world a better place than you found it.
References
[edit]- ^ a b M Dolon Hickmon (October 18, 2014). "Atheist Mind, Humanist Heart: 30 Second Review". Patheos. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Atheism's friendlier, humanist face". Mercury New. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.|author=Martha Ross |date=November 13, 2014
- ^ "Commandments For Atheists". Wisconsin Public Radio NPR. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.|author=Joy Cardin |date=November 10, 2014
- ^ a b Daniel Burke (December 20, 2014). "Behold, atheists' new Ten Commandments". CNN. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
- ^ a b "The Rethink Prize". Retrieved February 15, 2015.
- ^ a b Kimberly Winston (November 20, 2014). "10 Commandments for atheists: a guide for nonbelievers who want to explore their values". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 15, 2015.