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Can anyone help with rules/codes of conduct for different religions (like 10 commandments)

post #1 of 12
Thread Starter 
We are a UU family- this is the only religious experience my children have had. One of my 6 year old's friends told her that our religion is fake and our 7 principles are fake because the 10 commandments came from God and everything else is fake (did she say fake enough? ) It did open up a nice conversation about how this made my daughter feel and religious tolerance.

So I thought we might do some poking around at the "10 commandments" equivalent in different religions just to see the similarities and differences between them.

This is what the kids use for our 7 principles (it is a song sung to Do, a deer)

One: Each person is worthwhile.
Two: Be kind in all you do.
Three: We help each other learn.
Four: And search for what is true.
Five: All people have a vote.
Six: Work for a peaceful world.
Seven: We care for Earth's lifeboat,
That will bring us back to me and U.U…

I'm not sure if other religions have something similar to the 7 principles and the 10 commandments that we can look up and share, but the spirituality forum seems to be a wealth of knowledge so I'm hoping that others can chime in and at least point me in the right direction.

Thanks!
post #2 of 12
Islam has 5 pillars: iman, salat, zakah, sawm, and hajj. Roughly translated, that would be faith, prayer, giving of alms, fasting, and pilgrimage... but there's a lot more to it...
post #3 of 12
Off the top of my Wiccan head...

If it harms none, do what you will.

Whatever you send out into the world, be it positive or negative, will come back to you threefold.


I also like this from http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_stat1.htm:

WICCAN PRINCIPLES AND BELIEFS

Seventy three Witches founded the Council of American Witches in 1974. In April of that year, at the Spring Witchmeet in Minneapolis, MN, (1974-APR-11 to 14), they adopted the following document. At the time, Wicca and other Neopagan religions were greatly misunderstood in North America. This document helped to set the record straight.

The thirteen statements are necessarily vague. They do not precisely and completely match any one Witchcraft tradition. But they do provide an introduction to the full range of belief systems found within "Wicca."

Its policy of including all persons, regardless of "sexual preference" -- now referred to as sexual orientation -- was almost unheard of back in 1974.

The Council disbanded later in 1974.


1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.

2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called supernatural, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.

4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity-as masculine and feminine-and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive to the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magical practice and religious worship.

5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective unconscious, Inner Planes, etc.-and we see in the interactive of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

7. We see religion, magick, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it-a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft-the Wiccan Way.

8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch-but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.

9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.

10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.

11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.

12. We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as Satan or the Devil, as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the sufferings of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.

13. We believe that we should seek within nature that which is contributory to our health and well being.
post #4 of 12
oh, dear. i'm interested to read the other responses, but the other thing someone may eventually want to point out to this silly girl is the fact that there are many sets of rules or ethical codes or ideas about proper behavior beyond her ten commandments which are in no way "fake" and which she probably follows as well. school rules? traffic laws? girl scouts pledge?
post #5 of 12
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the responses so far!

Yes, this little girl is very "I'm the best at everything and what I do is right and anything else is wrong" She is the only girl in the neighborhood who is in the same grade as my daughter and they are BFFs. I'm hoping that she mellows a bit over the coming years.
post #6 of 12
One thing I really like is this Bah'ai thing. It shows how the Golden Rule is basically in all of the religions.... and I'm sure it's in Wicca too, but they don't list it.

http://www.bahainyc.org/presentation...en-rule10.html

Buddhism...""Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful."

Christianity...""In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you."

Hinduism...""Do naught to others which, if done to thee, would cause thee pain: This is the sum of duty."

Sikhism..." "Treat others as you would be treated yourself."

Judaism...What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man."

Jainism...."One should treat all beings as he himself would be treated."

Islam..."Not one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself."

Confucianism..""Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself."



Bahai..."Choose for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself."
post #7 of 12
Hmmm... I actually don't think the "golden rule" really applies in Wicca the way it does in the other religions mentioned. Just because you would like to be treated a certain way doesn't mean that other people want the same thing.

At least for me, I don't want other people doing for me what they would want done for themselves. I want them to ASK FIRST or else do nothing. And then to do what I ask them to do, even if it's not what they would want for themselves. YK? There are many many things I see people do, like grabbing the front of MY stroller (without asking!) to carry it down the subway stairs... or inviting others to a private gathering because they themselves are "more the merrier" type even if the hosts are not, that could fall under "Do unto others what you would want them to do unto you" and yet be horribly rude, and unkind.

In Wicca, perhaps the closest would be the "What you send out will return to you threefold," which is kind of the same sentiment in reverse... don't wish ill on someone else because you'll get that times three; and likewise spread happiness because you'll get that back times three. There's also "You must have another person's express permission in order to do a working (basically to say a prayer for) for them."

It is actually slightly irritating for people to say something like "I'll pray for you," though I just try to assume that saying this IS their way of asking... because I would never EVER do a working, send energy to, or pray for someone without asking.
post #8 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by umsami View Post
One thing I really like is this Bah'ai thing. It shows how the Golden Rule is basically in all of the religions.... and I'm sure it's in Wicca too, but they don't list it.

http://www.bahainyc.org/presentation...en-rule10.html
What it lists for Tao is fairly pagan/Wiccan in concept IMO. "The sage has no interests of his own, but regards the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind, he is also kind to the unkind: for virtue is kind." Or the Sikhism "Precious like jewels are the minds of all. To hurt them is not at all good. If thou desirest they Beloved, then, hurt thou not any one's heart."

The idea of interconnectedness and the whole word as interdependent; spreading calm and peace and joy for the sake of calm, peace, and joy...those would work for Wicca I think.

A bit of googling shows that many people consider "If it harms none, do what you will" to be a version of the Golden Rule, in that it forbids harming others and yourself... It's such a different concept to me personally though, of doing what someone else wants and NOT what you think they should want.
post #9 of 12
Buddhism has the Eightfold Path:

1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration

and the 4 Noble Truths (very simplified)

1. Suffering exists
2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires
3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

and these too:

The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the world's ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances. -Atisha
post #10 of 12
FWIW, I think the Golden Rule encompasses the idea that we should try to meet the needs or desires of the individual in question. After all, that's what most of us would want for ourselves.
post #11 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluegoat View Post
FWIW, I think the Golden Rule encompasses the idea that we should try to meet the needs or desires of the individual in question. After all, that's what most of us would want for ourselves.
Good point. I just don't really think there's a clear Wiccan corrollary to the Golden Rule, even though we have some similar concepts of how to treat others.
post #12 of 12
Asatru has the Nine Noble Virues:

1.Courage
2.Truth
3.Honor
4.Fidelity
5.Discipline
6.Hospitality
7.Industriousness
8.Self-Reliance
9.Perseverance
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