Letter to the Editor
So I suppose I should mention that I got a letter to the editor published in the Washington Post about a week ago. It’s sort of odd it wasn’t something I really felt strongly about, just something I sort have had written before… about 4 years ago. So type, type, type and send. They confirmed some thing and bang it appeared in the paper a couple of days later. Here is the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/13/AR2005071301982.html
However, I expect it will stop being availible in a couple of days. I had affirm that it isn’t anywhere posted anywhere else including a personal log when I submitted it to them, but they probably don’t care once its been published so here is what was published.
=====================
Words to Live By, From a Greek Philosopher
Thursday, July 14, 2005; Page A24
Diane Ellis suggested in her July 7 letter that religious leaders and atheists get together and come up with a set of principles that both could agree are good “Rules of Living.”
I prefer the concept of principles over rules. The following were attributed to the Greek philosopher Solon, who drew them up almost 2,600 years ago:
1. Trust good character more than promises.
2. Do not speak falsely.
3. Do good things.
4. Do not be hasty in making friends, but do not abandon them once made.
5. Learn to obey before you command.
6. When giving advice, do not recommend what is most pleasing, but what is most useful.
7. Make reason your supreme commander.
8. Do not associate with people who do bad things.
9. Honor the gods.
10. Have regard for your parents.
Perhaps if elected officials want to engender good character, they should post these instead of religious texts.
I say that as an atheist; I read “Honor the gods” as “Respect what people believe” and not as a requirement to worship any god.
TODD KUSTERER
Rockville