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THE 7 PRECEPTS OF RELATIVISM

To become a Relativist, one only has to consider oneself a Relativist. Relativists are those, from the most fervent believers in a divine creator to the most sceptical, united in the belief that all religions, equal to Relativism, are equally capable of providing equally valid ways of honouring a divine creator, if any such divine creator does exist.

Relativism is open to everyone. Relativism allows at the same time for its followers to continue participating in any of the practices of any other religion or religions they consider most adapted to their immediate environment, specific cultural background, or individual needs and desires.

Relativists should strive to treat all others with a maximum of respect and empathy. Respect is hereby defined as regard for, and empathy as understanding of, the feelings of others. Relativists are encouraged to abide by the laws of the country in which they live, but also to strive to have any law changed by democratic means if they consider it unjust in terms equal respect and empathy for all members of society, regardless of religious beliefs, race, gender or sexual orientation.

Relativism regards any action lacking in respect or empathy as a bad action. Relativism as a religion therefore is distinct from moral or philosophical relativism. It considers that the level of success of any religion can best be judged by the good actions, motivated by respect and empathy, of its followers, and that no bad actions can ever be justified in the name of any religion without deforming the original message of that religion. Relativists do not, however, consider it just to avenge any bad action by another bad action, and strive to resist the temptation to do so whatever the circumstances. On the contrary, they believe that those who have committed such actions should be helped to attain a level of respect and empathy that would enable them to regret them, prevent them from wanting to repeat them, and be most willing to accept any punitive measures taken by any civilised human society out of respect and empathy for those suffering the consequences of them.

Relativists should strive never to destroy independent human life. Relativists believe that the only valid reason ever to take any independent human life is when directly confronted by an individual or individuals intent on taking one’s own life or the life of others, and even then only when there appears to be absolutely no other solution to prevent this from happening. The taking of independent human life under any other circumstances is considered by Relativists to be murder and should be dealt with as such by the laws governing any civilised human society. Independent human life is hereby defined as beginning at birth, Relativism considering it the responsibility of any civilised human society to democratically define laws to adequately protect human life during the various stages previous to birth that do not imply a lack of respect and empathy for the mother.

Relativism regards all life as being worthy of respect. Relativists are encouraged to embrace a maximum of possibilities available to them to avoid participating in the destruction of, or causing of pain to, any living creature, or to the degradation of the environment as a whole. They are, however, equally encouraged to have respect and empathy for those not yet feeling able for whatever reason to contribute as much as themselves to this goal.

Relativists should strive to accomplish good actions motivated by respect and empathy. Relativism has no institutionalised place of worship or leader. Relativists are encouraged to act individually or in groups, coming together by means of the internet or any alternative methods of communication, to continually search for ways in which they can help those in need and desirable of such help. Relativism does not speculate on the nature of any individual being’s continued existence after death, considering this to be a matter solely for a divine creator, and Relativists do not therefore seek any form of reward for their actions. Relativists believe that this is the natural way in which intelligent human beings can best achieve ultimate self-fulfilment, and that this is also the way in which a divine creator would wish to be honoured.

RELATIVIST TRADITION

Relativist Commandments

There are no Relativist commandments, but a guiding principle of Relativism and its 7 precepts is definitely “Live and let live”. This is the basis from which respect and empathy can be developed.

Relativist Prophets

Relativists consider that the modern world, with its access to, and sharing of, knowledge concerning ourselves and the world around us, renders all but the most ill-informed amongst us incapable of accepting the message of any further self-proclaimed interpreters of the will of a divine creator. Many Relativists, however, are willing to accept the claims of those who assert that Abraham was “the first of the prophets”, Jesus “the most loving of the prophets”, Mohammed “the last and most prolific of the prophets”…

Relativist Festivals

January 1st, “Resolution Day”, is the day on which Relativists may decide to give special thought to what extent they have been living their lives in terms of the accomplishment of good actions, motivated by respect and empathy for others, and to how they could make positive changes to their own lives and to the world around them in the year ahead. This is also a day on which many individuals or groups of Relativists choose to share their reflections with the wider community via any of the internet sites or alternative methods of communication at their disposition. May 1st, “Memory Day”, is the day on which Relativists may decide to give special thought to loved ones that have died, to share memories of them with others, to light a candle in their honour, or to partake in any other manifestation of their ever-present love. Many Relativists choose to mark this day by visiting the last resting places or any other places associated with the memory of their loved ones, or by partaking of food and drink that particularly evoke special memories. This may take the form of anything from the most frugal of suppers to the most lavish of feasts, the most important in the Relativist calendar, depending upon the circumstances and what any individual considers most appropriate. September 1st, “Empathy Day”, is a day particularly important for the younger members of society. Relativists consider empathy to be a human quality of the highest order, going beyond even that of tolerance, as it involves being able, as far as possible, to consider the world from the perspective of others, even those they may consider to be enemies, leading to better understanding, respect and, ultimately, love. On this day, Relativists are encouraged to give thought to this quality within themselves, and to help any children in their charge to appreciate its significance. Some may also choose to mark this day by the accomplishment of any good action, however modest, inspired by empathy with regard to someone in their immediate environment. All three festivals may, if desired, last for up to 7 days, and may also be opportunities for gatherings.

Relativist Funerals

Funerals are conducted in accordance with the wishes of each individual Relativist, as expressed in advance or as interpreted by the next of kin. It is common for the next of kin to speak to those present about the deceased at this time, or to select a third party to speak on their behalf. Multifaith memorial centres tend to be preferred to cemeteries, although funerals may be conducted either fully or partly in accordance with the traditions of any other religion if felt to be most appropriate to individual circumstances.

RELATIVIST DOCTRINE

The Leader of Relativism

It is widely believed that Relativism has its origin in the very beginnings of civilised human societies. Be that as it may, Relativist Doctrine teaches that Relativism has no leader and that anyone who claims to be so should never be considered a Relativist.

Relativism and Other Religions

Relativists fully understand why people, all equal in terms of their mortality and their potential to experience not only love and happiness but also suffering, may be drawn to religions other than Relativism in search of explanations or comfort for matters they find it hard to come to terms with, or simply in order to comply with and participate in the customs of the community in which they live. Relativism does not consider any religion superior to any other in that all religions are equally capable of providing a motivation to do good for those who understand them, or to do evil whilst claiming to do good for those who misinterpret them.

Relativism and Society

Relativists believe in making the distinction between faith, that which does not necessitate any logical justification whatsoever, and values. They therefore consider it a bad action to attempt in any way to influence society as a whole in the name of faith. However, in the name of the human values of reciprocal respect and empathy, they do encourage others to break “the cycle of wounded pride” which so often leads to the vicious circle of conflict. It is empathy that engenders understanding of how humiliation of an adversary naturally leads to resentment, hate and further conflict.

Repentance

Relativists believe that remorse comes naturally to anyone capable of empathy but, following any bad action, the essential is to continually strive to be a better person.

Dietary Restrictions

Relativists believe that human existence, by its very nature, inevitably entails hardship, and that food and drink are great blessings that should not be restricted.

Love and Sex

Relativists believe that love in all its manifestations, including sex in the context of love and mutual, meaningful consent, is both the greatest of blessings and a further way in which to honour a divine creator, all the more wonderful as it may be experienced with equal intensity by all.

Indulgence

Although not one of the three major festivals of Relativism, the 27th of February, “Indulgence Day”, is celebrated by many Relativists as a day on which they indulge themselves in their favourite food, drink and pleasurable activities, including those that they may try to limit, for whatever reason, the other days of the month, during which time they strive to think of others at least as much as of themselves. Many Relativists choose to repeat this day, though to a lesser extent, every 27th of the month.

RELATIVIST CULTURE

A Relativist is someone who believes that the best way to honour a divine creator is through the accomplishment of good actions, those motivated by respect and empathy, and that no bad actions can ever be justified in the name of religion.

Relativist culture is therefore considered to be in total accordance with the universal, age-old ethic of reciprocity, or “Golden Rule”.

• Hinduism

"One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire." (Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva, 113.8)

• Buddhism

"Everyone fears punishment; everyone loves life, just as you do…" (Dhammapada, Chapter 10)

• Confucianism

"What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to others." - Confucius

• Judaism

"What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is the Bible: all the rest is commentary." - Hillel the Elder (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

• Christianity

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

• Islam

"No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which his brother desires for himself." (Sunnah)

• Relativism

“Relativism is all about reciprocal respect and empathy.” - Anon.

COMMON RELATIVIST PERSPECTIVES

Relativism and the Objectives of Education

If education is defined as the development of worthwhile knowledge and skills, Relativists would argue that the most worthwhile skill of all is that of empathy. This is the skill that, by focussing on an understanding of their fellow human beings, will best enable individuals to understand the world around them and, therefore, be best equipped to realise their full potential in whatever circumstances they may find themselves.

Those who have developed empathy will be more open to change and better prepared to meet the challenges presented by globalisation. Their heightened ability to understand and relate to others from diverse backgrounds and cultures will not only be a key to their development as individuals, but also give a competitive advantage to societies that make the development of this skill an essential part of their educational system.

Relativism and Evolution

Relativists, as with most educated people regardless of their faith, accept that human beings are primates with tribalism and hierarchy (original meaning: rule by priests) inscribed into their genetic make-up.

From this viewpoint, many diverse human phenomena, good, bad or indifferent, from organised religion, war, political parties, nationalism and racism to the seemingly disproportionate importance accorded to football, are all perfectly logical and natural.

Relativism considers that, through respect and empathy, we should strive to combat those natural instincts and reject any of those natural phenomena that are harmful to others.

Primodanne 14:07, 21 September 2007 (UTC)