Magician and atheist Penn Gillette recently listed his version of the ten commandments. You can find the list
here. Following is my take (in italics) on the first two commands on his list:
- "The highest ideals are human intelligence, creativity and love. Respect these above all."
The longer I live the more I understand how love really trumps everything else. I think that the secret to integrating love into the reality of our lives is humility. This, I think, is where many (including atheists) come up short.
- "Do not put things or even ideas above other human beings."
Hard to argue this point. Religious people have been doing this for ages. Interesting that even atheists seem to operate from commandments.
On that last point I do think that all human beings, atheists and believers alike, suffer from a desire to follow external rules or commandments. Perhaps we would all do well to first follow the voice of God within us?
Penn is an interesting celebrity.
ReplyDeleteCS Lewis's quote comes to mind ... “My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?”
Great quote Paul!
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