I need no external authority to believe that commandments 5 through 10 describe in principle what must happen if people want to live together in a community. I evaluate based on my belief that a community cannot exist without rules, but I do not believe that those rules must come from God in order for them to be true.
The quality of our lives here on earth is increased by coming together as a society. Division of labor, economies of scale. That sort of thing. Hence, coming together is a good thing.
I have no idea how many virtues there are, and I don't see what connection that has to our discussion.
Again, it is not you or your ideas that are ridiculous, it was your definition of atheism I was calling ridiculous.
Your need was not what I was addressing. I simply was trying to understand your basis for your assertions. You seem now to be responding that you need no basis. But what is your basis for that?
My point is that you have an underlying faith whether you want to admit it or not. The burning question, then ought to be whether it is your faith and is it correct? You certainly would not want to be basing your whole life on something that is false, as you may believe I am doing, would you?
But only you can answer this question.
I am now off to celebrate Christmas, which commemorates the time when God became Man and dwelt among us and then suffered and died to forgive all of our sins, mine included.
I will pray for you, my friend. And I mean that with utmost sincerity.
May God bless all of you posters out there today.
May God touch your hearts so you may know His Love and His Comfort.
It is real, and it is available to all who ask.
What have you got to lose except your dependence on your own feeble selves?
From an anthropological and historical point of view, we've seen rules like the Commandments in various societies from before Moses was even born. The Commandments were just societal rules written down and enforced by the fear of a deity rather than simple secular punishment.
But I'd dump #10, because our whole capitalist economy is built on the idea that if I want that new Mercedes in my neighbor's driveway (i.e., I covet it), I'd better work my butt off to buy one too.