I have revised these on my own, removing the need for someone
to be a theist to follow or understand them. Jim Gerrish - 2012
1. Because I have the right to choose, I
recognize that I am accountable to God and have the
responsibility to keep the 10 commandments in my own life. If I
do not believe in a god or supreme being, I am still accountable
to myself and my own conscience and have the responsibility to
always do what is right and good, as I see it.
2. Because I have the right to worship (or not) as I choose, I
have the responsibility to honor the right of others to worship
(or not) as they see fit, and those who excercise that right have
the responsibility to honor my own right not to worship (or not)
as I see fit.
3. Because I have freedom of speech, I have the responsibility to
defend the speech of others, even if I strongly disagree with
what they’re saying. I also have the right to speak freely
and disagree with others without fear of losing my life or my own
rights to disagree, and I have an obligation to make my thoughts
known through speech or writing if I feel that the free speech or
writing of others will bring harm to themselves or others.
4. Because I have the right to pursue happiness, I have the
responsibility to allow others that same right. That requires all
of us to create harmony in getting along with one another, rather
than discord that comes from selfishness and attempting to rule
over or control the happiness of others.
5. Because I have the right to honest and good government over
this Republic, I have the obligation and responsibility to elect
honest and good people into public offices as my representatives.
If I cannot find someone, then I have an obligation and
responsibility to take on the demands of that public office
myself. If I take on a public office, I have the obligation to be
true to the oath required by that office, and an obligation to
daily remain the same good and honest person I was when elected.
6. Because I have the right to Liberty, I have the personal
obligation and responsibility to defend those who are being
denied Liberty unless they have been convicted of the crime(s) of
depriving life, liberty or private property by a valid court of
law conducted according to the laws of this Republic.
7. Because I have the right to equal justice, I will stand for
those who are wrongly accused or unjustly blamed or falsely
imprisoned or condemned to death.
8. Because I have the right to knowledge, I am obligated to
educate myself and to seek out truth as much as it can be known.
I have the responsibility to protect and supervise my children's
right to knowledge and to see that government schools, private
schools (religious and secular) and all public institutions of
learning (museums, libraries, television programs on public
airwaves) are devoted to teaching the truth in all subjects.
9. Because I have the right to pursue my dreams and keep the
fruits of my labor, I have the personal responsibility to feed,
protect and shelter my family, the less fortunate, the
parentless, the elderly, and the infirm. This I do of my own free
will, not compelled by government or public opinion or demands of
others who desire my possessions out of greed or envy.
10. Because I have a right to seek the truth, I will not bear
false witness, nor allow others to do so. I will not allow
elected officials to disregard their oaths of office, or to lie
or attempt to deceive the public. I will not allow public media
(news, television or radio broadcast on public airwaves) to
promote lies or falsehoods, whether in advertising or content.