[jtrn]

One could probably argue that, if interpreted in a certain way, most of these laws/rules could be good. Even the god praising could be seen positively if one subtly transforms "god" into something like "that which is good," as many secular philosophers have done.

However, this rule cannot be shown to be universally good, regardless of interpretation:

"Obey in all things the commands of those whom God has placed in authority over you, even though they (which God forbid) should act otherwise, mindful of the Lord's precept, 'Do what they say, but not what they do.'"

It’s just not logical or empirically coherent. We could deconstruct this stupidity extensively, but it would not fit within the margin of this thread.

[danhau]

> However, this rule cannot be shown to be universally good, regardless of interpretation

Subordinate yourself to those with authority in all things, except things that break or undermine any of the other rules.

[ForHackernews]

I believe it's adapted from the Rule of Saint Benedict[0] so regardless of your own objections to its practicality, communities of monks have been living by more-or-less these rules for centuries.

[0]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Saint_Benedict

[1718627440]

> if one subtly transforms "god" into something like "that which is good," as many secular philosophers have done.

It's the other way around. The word god describes "that which is good" a priori and then people discovered, that he is a person and not a principle.

[____mr____]

she*

[empthought]

“No one is required to follow The Rule, to know The Rule, or even to think that The Rule is a good idea. The Founder of SQLite believes that anyone who follows The Rule will live a happier and more productive life, but individuals are free to dispute or ignore that advice if they wish.”

[johnbarron]

"With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil — that takes religion."

― Steven Weinberg