Excerpts
of the book "THE
CODE FOR GLOBAL ETHICS" can be read in the following book
published in Australia:
Macquarie
HSC Studies of Religion,
2nd
ed.,
by Patricia Hayward and Johnathon Noble,
Macmillan
Education Australia, 2007, pp. 262-263/
ISBN: 142020548X
13.1.2 The position of rational humanism
Chapter 13 Non-religious world views
The following are
the ‘Ten Commandments of Rational Humanism’. The term ‘Ten
Commandments’ here does not refer to any divine revelation, since
rational humanists do not generally accept a higher being such as a god. On the
other hand, some people might criticise rational humanism as being ‘just
another religion’ with its own laws and creed. It is probably reasonable
to say that humanism has more organisations and associations than do atheism or
agnosticism.
These ‘commandments’ provide a good summary of the
important issues for rational humanists.
The ten rules of living and of social behaviour of rational
humanism for a more harmonious and just world:
1 Proclaim the natural dignity and inherent worth of all human
beings, in all places and in all circumstances.
2 Respect the life and property of others at
all times.
3 Practise tolerance and open-mindedness towards the choices and
lifestyles of others.
4 Share with those who are less fortunate and mutually assist
those who are in need of help.
5 Use neither lies, nor spiritual power, nor temporal power to
dominate and exploit others.
6 Rely on reason and science to understand the Universe and to
solve life’s problems, avoiding superstitions which numb the mind and are
an obstacle to thinking by oneself.
7 Conserve and
improve the earth’s natural environment—land, soil, water, air and
space— as humankind’s common heritage.
8 Resolve differences and conflicts cooperatively without
resorting to violence or to wars.
9 Organise public affairs according to individual freedom and
responsibility, through political and economic democracy.
10 Develop one’s intelligence and talents through
education and effort, in order to reach fulfilment and happiness, for the
betterment of humanity and of future generations.
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—Rodrigue Tremblay, ‘The Ten Commandments of
Rational Humanism’, <www.sceco.umontreal.ca/liste_personnel/files/rtremblay/en/10comm.htm>.