I spent some time as a religious leader, and I conformed to far too many senseless doctrines and codes of ethics over the years. What's worse is that I taught others to do the same. Leaving religion, the ethics I had built and followed as a religious person crumbled. While I consider myself a reasonably good person, I have come to more greatly value self-interested behavior. Life's too short to live any other way. I still owe a responsibility to my society, of course, but this isn't entirely selfless, nor is it blind. Self-preservation demands that we repay those who contribute to our successes and well being; in other words, if we wish to live a long and fruitful life, and to leave a legacy to be remembered, we must always pay our debts. But I digress.
I just thought I'd share a five-point list of guidelines I generally follow:
1) I will seek to live rather than die.
2) I will indulge rather than abstain.
3) I will seek knowledge rather than faith.
4) I will repay justice rather than mercy.
5) I will love only those who deserve it.
What are others' thoughts about this? Also, do any of you have your own little code to live by, or do you just play it by ear?
I just thought I'd share a five-point list of guidelines I generally follow:
1) I will seek to live rather than die.
2) I will indulge rather than abstain.
3) I will seek knowledge rather than faith.
4) I will repay justice rather than mercy.
5) I will love only those who deserve it.
What are others' thoughts about this? Also, do any of you have your own little code to live by, or do you just play it by ear?
