Which 10 Commandments?
Dear Cliff, re <http://www.PositiveAtheism.org/crt/whichcom.htm>
These 10 Commandments:
Solon (c 638-558 BCE)
Lives of Eminent Philosophers, 1.60 by Diogenes Laertius
1. Trust good character more than promises.
2. Do not speak falsely.
3. Do good things.
4. Do not be hasty in making friends, but do not abandon them once made.
5. Learn to obey before you command.
6. When giving advice, do not recommend what is most pleasing, but what is most useful.
7. Make reason your supreme commander.
8. Do not associate with people who do bad things.
9. Honor the gods.
10. Have regard for your parents.
PS: I suspect that "Positive Atheism" and "Natural/Scientific Pantheism" have more similarities than disparities. Natural/Scientific Pantheism has a theology, is a religion, and expresses spirituality. Secular Humanism has a theology and is a religion (albeit I'd have to defend my assertion from many irate Secular Humanists), but doesn't have spirituality. Atheism has no theology and is not a religion... normally. I assume "atheism" in the context of "Positive Atheism" has an alternative or embellished meaning, contrasted with "disbelief in the existence of any gods"? In other words, "Positive Atheism" makes positive claims, whereas plain "atheism" makes no positive assertions (and thus, is not a theology nor religion).
(I know. "Read the website. Elucidate yourself.")
From: "Positive Atheism" <firstname.lastname@example.org>
To: "Love-Jensen, John"
Subject: Re: Positive Atheism, Cliff's Writings -- Which 10 Commandments.
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2000 1:43 PM
PS: I suspect that "Positive Atheism" and "Natural/Scientific Pantheism" have more similarities than disparities.
Any form of atheism has more similarities with any form of pantheism than either have with any other form of theism, with the possible exception of Deism -- but even Deism is a far cry from atheism or pantheism.
An atheist would sometimes ask, "If the universe is God, why do we even need the word God? why would not the word universe suffice?"
I assume "atheism" in the context of "Positive Atheism" has an alternative or embellished meaning, contrasted with "disbelief in the existence of any gods"? In other words, "Positive Atheism" makes positive claims, whereas plain "atheism" makes no positive assertions (and thus, is not a theology nor religion).
Positive Atheism's only embellishment is the aspect of being a proactive ethic based upon truthfulness as advocated by Gandhi in his doctrine of satyagraha.
As for atheism, it is not normally a "disbelief in the existence of any gods" but is rather a lack of a god belief. Only a few atheists go so far as to dogmatically declare that there are no gods.
In other words, we advocate the "weak" definition for atheism (sometimes called "negative atheism") over the "strong" definition (sometimes, unfortunately, called "positive atheism"). We use the term "Positive Atheism" in a completely different sense. Though we don't advocate all of the social plans developed by Gora in India during the mid-1900s, we do retain the core advocacy of truthfulness and fairness and human dignity.
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
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