An atheist moral code

This was originally a blog post, but I feel it’s important enough to post as a permanent, static page on the site.

One of the criticisms often levelled at atheists is that we have no moral code. I don’t agree with that assessment, and eventually reached the point where I wanted to put out there, as succinctly and accurately, what mine is. Ironically, there’s 10 rules in my moral code.

1. This life is the only time you exist. Make the most of it.
2. This life is the only time anyone else exists. Do not take it from them.
3. That which we leave behind when we’re gone are the memories and thoughts others have of us. Do your best to ensure they’re good ones.
4. It’s valid to feel angry about things from time to time. Hate is not valid.
5. Do not attack the personal religious or spiritual beliefs of another, unless it is to defend against those beliefs being used to impinge your rights.
6. Good and bad, or good and evil, are discoverable without religion, and we should always try to do good.
7. Good and bad, or good and evil, are evolving concepts.
8. Believe that which can be empirically proven.
9. Follow Hanlon’s Razor until Occam’s Razor demands otherwise.
10. Our “purpose” should be three-fold:
• Contribute, in some way, however small, to the evolution of the human mind.
• Be mindful that we’re not the last generation to inhabit the earth.
• Be mindful that we’re not the only species to inhabit the earth.

I’m not perfect, of course – none of us ever are. But I always do my damnedest to meet those above rules as often as possible.