The Perfect Religious Doctrine

[The Reality Salesman01]

Ever read a religious book that contained all of the most perfect rules for mankind to follow? I'm talking about the one that got it all right. A collection of wisdom so perfect, so concise, so complete, that nobody could possibly maim or murder someone as a result of misinterpreting it...No? Me neither...

So let's do it. Right here, on AF.org, let's create the perfect doctrine for all people to live by. Try to keep your laws and directions short and to the point, however, also try to keep in mind that as the years pass, if you're not perfectly clear in what you mean to say, something as innocent as "if she is found not be a Virgin on the night of her marriage, she is to be stoned on her fathers doorstep" might actually be taken literally rather than the obvious temporary, and entirely contextual meaning that was originally intended...

Already got a book that you think nailed it, then feel free to plagiarize the fuck out of them! But do consider that the obvious ones such as "Do on to others..." will go fast so you may be tempted to revise some of the fucked up passages in your book in an attempt to make them more plausibly attributed to an omni-wise author. Any questions? Good. Let's start the game...What shall/shall not thou do first?

[Ravenshire]

Try to keep your laws and directions short and to the point

Don't be a dick.

[The Reality Salesman01]

Show compassion in all aspects of your life. Whether you are rewarded or not does not matter, it's just better not to be an asshole.

[abaris]

The one that lines my pockets for a change.

[The Reality Salesman01]

I'm thinking of the way these could be interpreted 2,000 years from now if we gained some sort of following...

Do you think that the command "Don't be a dick." could one day lead to our male followers chopping their dicks off?

[Edwardo Piet]

No, but I think it could lead a species of giant-talking-dick-monsters to go and have a species-change operation.

[ignoramus]

OP, we have it now. It's our justice system.
They are the laws to Iive by without the need for a divine promise of an afterlife.

[The Reality Salesman01]

True love is without condition. Life is precious and must be preserved from misery and torment at all cost. Even if some one doesn't like your books.

[The Reality Salesman01]

OP, we have it now. It's our justice system.
They are the laws to Iive by without the need for a divine promise of an afterlife.

Exactly! Throw one out there!

[emjay]

Try to truly empathise with people, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone or goes against what you want/need to believe about people... 

Picture yourself in their position - from their perspective not yours... not 'what would I do in that situation?' but 'what would they do in that situation?'... and if you can't relate to their position work hard at it until you can... question, research, analyse, become informed.

To expect or even hope for everyone to do that in every situation, for every stereotype or belief about a person they encounter, is unrealistic. But nonetheless if everyone at least tried to do it as much as possible, and certainly whenever they become aware of an emotional belief (ie delusion or prejudice) that effects how they see and treat a person, the world would be a much better place.


Stereotypes and gut feels - emotional beliefs - are great if you're facing lions and tigers in the wild but in this day and age, when relied on for judging people, they can just lead to prejudice, discrimination, fear, and hate. It needs to stop if we ever want true and lasting peace in the world and our relationships.