Our October meeting was on October 11 at 5 pm. Same bat channel at the Blue Moose in Morgantown.
The October Theme was: My Personal 10 Commandments.
Make a list of 10 (or less) New Personal Commandments. These are 10 rules or virtues you set for yourself that you might hang on your wall, keep on your desk, or wish to teach to others. These 10 Commandments are like your personal creed for living. Write them down and bring your list. We’ll share them at the meeting.
Remember to keep each commandment succinct. It will be easier to remember.
Also, call it whatever you like. You certainly don’t need to call them commandments. That’s just used for familiarity.
EDIT: I found this and thought it might help you: A List of Virtues. It seems interesting for at least looking at a list of virtues that you might connect with.
SUMMARY: Last night’s meeting was interesting and fun. We had 11 people and it was quite lively.
If you shared your 10 “commandments” last night, please email them to me if I can include them on this page. Or, feel free to leave a comment with your list here to share with us! 
I think it would be nice to have them all written down for people.
Personally, I got a lot out of listening to others share their principles and rules for living.
Butch’s Codex
- Be passionate about something.
- Never give in to a bully (make a stand) and never be a bully.
- Be as honest as possible, never fear the truth.
- Do not fear things just because they’re different.
- You are no better than anyone else, but you are as good as everyone else.
- There is humor in all things, it is up to you to find it.
- Neece’s Platinum Rule: Treat others as they want to be treated, in their best interest.
- Learn as much as you can and as many different things as possible. Use empiric methods to improve your knowledge.
- Never accept things at face value; think for yourself.
- There will be disappointments in your life. Get over them and move on.
- Accept the consequences of your actions!
~
Neece’s Principles
- Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated.
- Silver Rule: Do not treat others as you would not like to be treated.
- Platinum Rule*: Treat others as they want to be treated, *in their best interest.
- Learn from your mistakes, and when possible, learn from the mistakes of others.
- Be pragmatic. Choose your battles. Be responsible.
- If it harms no one, do what you like. (do no harm)
- Think critically. Think for yourself. Be skeptical. Question everything.
- Learn as much as you can. Never stop learning. Be curious. Wonder. Use the scientific method.
- Strive to be your best, and to improve yourself whenever possible.
- Laugh often. Have a great sense of humor.
Mine are currently:(Do , or Remember to remind ones self)
1. Equanimity
2. Honesty
3. Generosity
4. Tolerance
5. Compassion
6. Justice
7. Peacemaking
8. Learning
9. Resposibility
10. (not least but most difficult and important!)
Humility
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Neece Reply:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Thanks for sharing this, Tim. I have 7 on my list at the moment, but I’m not sure if I’m done yet on it. I think I need to think on it a bit more.
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I like what you guys are doing but…. 10 commandments?
Isn’t there something you could pull from Star Trek (your prime directives maybe)or elsewhere?
The BIBLE…. at an atheist mixer?
It is sending mixed messages.
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Neece Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Hi Evil,
10 commandments is used to describe the list as it’s a familiar concept, not to mention it’s a bit tongue in cheek, I guess. The list is about finding what your principles, values and rules for living are.
Atheists don’t turn to the bible for morals. We get them from ourselves, our role models, empathy and how we want to be treated in society.
So there’s no bible being used to make the list. We’re simply borrowing the term because it’s familiar. There is no mixed message. It’s very clear. Write your own 10 personal principles. Keep them with you.
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Evil Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Sorry, I would’ve replied sooner but there was a burning bush in my back yard I had to smother with the old testament. (joking….. I used some holy water instead)
I get it, about the familiarity….. and I see how it is important to show (to the public) that were not hedonistic crazy people…. but morally centered and just. (much of the time more than the religious types)
I’m glad you guys have organized and are doing well. I love the sign you put up….. it’s nice to see instead of the usual three crosses were so familiar with in mo-town.
I guess I am just not the organizing type of atheist…. good luck and god speed.
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Neece Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
You’re funny, Evil!
Thanks, I’m glad you like the sign!
Well, we’re all individuals (except me!) – Life of Brian reference there, sorry – and some of us like to organize and socialize and some of us don’t. That’s cool.
Take care and we won’t pray for you.
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10 words to live by (in no order…whatever came to mind first, realizing that all these words are inter-related, but still important to me for various reasons):
(1) communal
(2) relational
(3) other-centered
(4) servant-minded
(5) compassionate
(6) passionate
(7) responsible
(8) forgiving
(9) encouraging
(10) cooperant
Thanks!
Tommy
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Neece Reply:
October 17th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Thanks for sharing your list Rev. Tommy.
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