The 10 Commandments of Atheism

by Paul Baumgartner

August 13, 2017

A religion has a doctrine to be confirmed by it's adherents.  Atheists have typically claimed that Atheism is not a religion.  However, adherents to Atheism constantly confirm that there is no god.

Now, Atheists have furthered their doctrines by developing their own 10 commandments [a].  This is further proof that Atheism is a religion.

I have often thought that right and wrong would be discoverable with or without God.  Right and wrong is a law unto itself, so I thought.

Will the 10 commandments of Atheism reveal that morals are a law unto themselves and discoverable by anyone?  Let's take a look at each of the 10 Commandments of Atheism and see if they have discovered true morality.

Atheism Commandment #1. Be open-minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.

Is this really a commandment that Atheists will keep?  In order to keep believing in Atheism, one has to continue the deny the evidence that evolution is impossible.  Furthermore, one has to continue the fact that the universe and matter have a starting point.

Atheism Commandment #2. Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.

Are Atheists really striving to understand what is most likely to be true?  The fact that they constantly deny some very important facts would seem to indicate that they are not keeping this commandment.  It is most likely to be true that there is a God, but Atheists strive to attack all other religions rather than understand them.

Atheism Commandment #3. The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.

This is a true statement, however, what does this tell us about right and wrong?  Does nature teachh us morality?  Can nature tell us about God?  Perhaps nature can point us to the fact that a creator God exists, but such a God would exist outside of what was created.  How can nature tell us what is right and wrong for people?  What if people have strayed from what is right? Studying nature is unreliable for telling us what is right and wrong.

Atheism Commandment #4. Every person has the right to control of their body.

Now here is a good principal that tells us something of right and wrong.  This is similar to the original 10 commandments that says, "You shall not commit murder," and "I am the Lord your God that brought you out of the land of slavery."  Do Atheists really keep this commandment?  Most atheists reserve the right to commit convenience abortions.  Is the unborn baby really their own body?

Atheism Commandment #5. God is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.

How is this verifiable?  So far, the 10 Commandments of Atheism seem to be missing the mark established by the origninal 10 Commandments.  The Atheist's 10 commandments are interpreted by each individual Atheist.  Commandment #4 is interpreted in such a way that convenience abortions are allowed. This command is used in such a way to proclaim that each Atheist is justified in proclaiming righteousness regardless of his actions. No outside standard or authority above oneself is used to judge right and wrong.

Atheism Commandment #6. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.

It is good to take responsibility for one's actions, but what is this actually saying?  Consider the consequences of your actions.  Would the end justify the means?  Result justification would fit into this.  There is no absolute in this commandment.  This commandment could be used to justify all sorts of inhumane actions.

Atheism Commandment #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.

Okay, here is a good principle.  This is basically the golden rule restated.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Are there any absolutes about how you should treat others?  So for, in the 10 Commandments of Atheism, there are no absolutes.

Atheism Commandment #8. We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.

This is a good principle.  Do Atheists keep this commandment?  Do they consider others when they commit abortion?  

Atheism Commandment #9. There is no one right way to live.

If there is a right way to live, it would seem that the right way to live could be defined.  This commandment seems to open up the way for immorality and inhumane ways to also be a right way to live.

Atheism Commandment #10. Leave the world a better place than you found it.

What defines what makes the world a better place?  Some Atheists proclaim that the world population should be reduced to something like 500 million people [b].  Is this what is right to leave the world in a better state than you found it?  Who should be the judge about the demise of the humans in the depopulation to reach that goal?

It is evident that man cannot truly find right and wrong without God.  God is needed as a higher authority.  God is needed to tell us absolutes about how to live.  God is needed to give recurring revelation about how we should live.  

The original 10 commandments tells us much more, and gives us a better guide.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."

The original 1st Commandment tells us that there is a creator God that is above all.  It tells us that he cares about humans and desires to delivery people from oppression.

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."

The original 2nd Commandment tels us not to stray from God.  We are not to just make up our own gods or ways.  Depend on the revelation that God has given.

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."

The original 3rd Commandment tells us not to be a hypocrite. Don't make claims of following God, but misuse this claim to get what you want or pervert his ways.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."

The original 4th Commandment tells us that God made us and all that is in the world. Since he made us, he knows what is best for us, and cares for us to such an extent that he has put a high priority in giving us a day of rest.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

The original 5th command tells us that our parents and our elders are to be respected.  They came before us and have gone through the same things that we are going through.  The purpose of this is so that you may live a long life and it only makes sense that if you listen to wisdom, you will live a long life.

“You shall not murder."

The original 6th Commandment is an absolute and tells us that human life was not meant to be taken by other humans.  

“You shall not commit adultery."

The original 7th Commandment is also an absolute and tells us that marriage is a dedicated relationship.  

“You shall not steal."

The 8th Commandment is an absolute and tells us to respect the property of others.

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."

The 9th Commandment absolutely forbids lying.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

The 10th Commandment tells us something about human nature.  This is a personal commandment.  It tells us that we were not made to covet in our hearts.  This means that many ill feelings like jealousy are wrong.

In conclusion, God's original 10 Commandments are much better than the Atheist 10 Commandments.  They tell us that there is a creator God that we need to be in tune with and set our thoughts according to how he has designed us.  They tell us that God cares for us and wants us to have a good and lengthy life.  They tell us how we can have that good and lenghty life.  They give us absolutes to keep peace between us and our neighbors.  God is needed to be a good person and live a full and successful life.

References:

a) http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/19/living/atheist-10-commandments/

b) http://www.radioliberty.com/stones.htm