Did you hear? Not to be outdone, the atheists now have their own version of the 10 Commandments, called the “10 Non-Commandments“. You read that right. A contest was held for a more modern, humanistic alternative to the commandments given by God to Moses in Exodus 20. Here is the link:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/19/living/atheist-10-commandments/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Considering the time spent studying the original, I felt an evaluation of this new version would be in order. My comments will be in italics.
Here are the "Ten Non-Commandments" chosen as the winners:
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.
I call these first offerings the "ironic pair". Is this critical evaluation of evidence a two-way street? Does this include young earth science and evidence for the resurrection of Christ?
3. The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.
True. Science interprets the present, but cannot tell the past. That’s called history. (Come on, you didn‘t really think this non-commandment wasn‘t a plug for millions of years of evolution. If you did, email me about buying a bridge I am selling.)
4. Every person has the right to control of their body.
This is a push for abortio… I mean “pro-choice”, right?
I agree with this one. Control your body. Great. I agree. Control it. Monitor the activities it engages in. Babies, however, are a different body. Let them have the same right to life, and control, that you have.
5. God is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.
Who defines "good" and "meaningful"? You used the words, so SOMEBODY has to define them.
“Good” and “meaningful” are meaningless words, unless there is a God who defined morality. If God defined morality, it is objective truth (x is good, y is bad - for everyone). But if we define it, it is subjective - and we know that doesn’t work! Some people think adultery and stealing are good and meaningful. Not the people who are victims, though.
6. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.
Yeah. I am on board with this. See #4.
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.
Ah ah ah!!! That's too close to Jesus talk (Matthew 7:12). No copying! You wanted your own version, make up your own!
8. We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.
I agree, but this sounds like a repackage and a tweak to the previous one. Are we running out of ideas?
9. There is no one right way to live.
So why make commandments? Oh, right, these are non-commandments. Is this validating me thinking the right way to live is through the exclusive salvation offered in Jesus Christ?
10. Leave the world a better place than you found it.
First His Words, now we are ripping off Jesus' ACTIONS. Shame on you.
God-less. Ecumenical. Vanilla. If these make it to the public square, will Christians protest to have them taken down? Will they get taken down?
If my tone sounds caustic and/or annoyed and/or sarcastic, I am. Stuff like this puts me in that mood. I’ll try to turn that around for next time. It’s just so wicked and so foolish, but somewhere out there right now, a group of atheists are high-fiving each other over this drivel.
Meanwhile, I’ll stick with the original. Heaven and earth will pass away (along with these foolish re-writes of God‘s Word) but the words of Christ will never pass away (see Mark 13:31).
p.s. - not sure about the rule as to when I should turn the italics off
