Why can't we just be "excellent" to each other?

[henryp]

So why can't we simply accept what science has exposed to us, and huddle around core behaviors that represent civil society? This could be thought of as the new ten commandments, but there would be no higher power to administer and forgive. That would be the role of society. Could it be as simple as unifying behind simple "laws" such as:

1. Be nice to each other
   
2. Pay it forward: be generous by giving your time, money, and stuff to the less fortunate
   
3. Help out each other
   
4. Live a life you can be proud of, and tell others of those who lived well
   
5. Leave the earth in good shape while you're here
   
6. Support leaders and fellow citizens who live according to the above, and punish those who do not
   

I'm sure there are more, but all of those transcend religion. We don't need to carve out an hour every Sunday with ritual, decorative garments, and pomp and circumstance, do we?

This is effectively the same as a religion.  You make up a bunch of rules, many of them based on definitely not scientific notions, and try to apply them to everyone.