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[behindstarryeyes]

I am interested, simply for curiosity's sake, in what any of you use to define your morality.  Obviously, if you identify with Wicca, I would assume you would employ the Wiccan Rede.  For those of you who don't, then what moral code do you hold yourself to (if any)? 

[Mountain_Mamma]

The Rede comes to mind first.  Then my Mom's wisdom, do onto others, and if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Basically I listen to my inner self, and if I feel icky about something then it's probably wrong.  And I've found out over the years that my first instinct is usually the best. 

 

[Snake-Man]

I am a Solitary Eclectic Nocturnal Witch.  Instead of the Rede, I follow my own personal Code of Ethics. They are:

1. Harm None…unless provoked.—I can usually get along with most anybody, and it takes a lot to get me angry. I will give ample warning if I am getting ticked off, however, if these go ignored, I will strike hard, fast, and with much vengeance. I am also not against casting evil spells or curses if I feel it’s justified. I believe in revenge, and I am very methodical in the way I carry it out. I treat people the way they treat me. If you’re nice to me, I’ll be the same to you. If you’re a complete jerk, expect the same from me in abundance.

2. Speak little, listen much.—I usually tend to be quite quiet, unless I have something to say. Most of the time I quietly sit and observe people, learning their personality traits. I can read people like a book.

3. Honesty and Loyalty are valued above all else.—I am loyal to those who are loyal to me. I also hate liars. Those that choose to befriend me, find that I am a very powerful ally. Choose to be my enemy, however, and I will make your life a living hell.

4. Always speak the truth…tell it like it is, no matter how painful it may be. Don’t lie.

5. Show respect only to those who truly deserve it.

6. Kill not for the sake of killing.—I won’t kill another living creature without a good reason to. For example: when I kill a deer, it’s to provide me with food for the year. The exception to this rule is vermin, such as mice and rats. I hate those little bastards.

7. You do me a solid, I do YOU a solid.—In other words…if you do me a favor, I’ll do you a favor. And vice versa.

8. If someone gives you something (like a gift), give them something in return.

9. Help those that truly need help, but look after your own well-being first.

10. Don’t charge money for services that don’t cost you anything (such as Tarot readings or performing weddings).
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If you don't agree with any of these, too bad.  They're MY code of ethics, not YOURS.  They work for me, and that's all that matters.

[Firesong]

I simply do as I wish... only G-d can judge me, and in the end, I'm good with that...

[dark magus]

I was raised with some basic concepts on how to conduct myself, learned other concepts growing up and interacting with society.
I pretty much do as I like as long as it feels like the right way to do it. I don't worship any gods and really don't believe they exist outside of our own personal perception.
I do believe that we each have a divine spark within us that connects us to all other things, and that combination is the divine / the source. As such, combined, we are the divine, collectively and individually.

[Firesong]

I was raised with some basic concepts on how to conduct myself, learned other concepts growing up and interacting with society.
I pretty much do as I like as long as it feels like the right way to do it. I don't worship any gods and really don't believe they exist outside of our own personal perception.
I do believe that we each have a divine spark within us that connects us to all other things, and that combination is the divine / the source. As such, combined, we are the divine, collectively and individually.

Namaste

[claudette]

I try to treat others as I want to be treated.   I guess I learned it from my parents and my church.

[Black Hat Guy]

Do unto others, before they do unto you.

Do as thou wilt is the whole of the Law, but remember, no-one likes an asshole.

[Black Hat Guy]

4. Always speak the truth…tell it like it is, no matter how painful it may be. Don’t lie.

Does that include lying through omission?

 

[Serpentium]

"I reject your reality and substitute my own."--Adam Savage (Mythbusters)"

I created every piece of my reality. It spreads right across this World, and beyond. It even has room for this place, and everyone in it. And their realities. Because yanno, it's not all about me, is it?

[Snake-Man]

Does that include lying through omission?

 

Not quite sure what you mean by that...

[Black Hat Guy]

Not quite sure what you mean by that...

Well, lets just say, as a purely hypothetical example, someone posted information on a certain subject without making it clear that they had copied it from another person's webpage or providing a link, in the hope someone would think it was their own work and so come across as being smarter than they actually are.

In that case, they'd be guilty of lying by omission.  I wonder what your moral code has to say about that?

[Black Hat Guy]

Also, while I'm here:

1. Harm None…unless provoked.

Would this extend to threatening to harm others for being mocked online?  Again, purely hypothetical. 

[blue]

 I believe that what goes around comes around and that for the most part you create your own environment.

 Don't know anything about the afterlife ... but i'm pretty sure that we're all held accountable for our choices and actions in this lifetime. What you put out there is what returns to affect you body,mind, and spirit.

[behindstarryeyes]

Thanks for the responses, everyone.  Its been very enlightening.  It's interesting to note that pagans and even atheists (in my somewhat limited experiences anyway) generally seem to have a stricter moral code than most Christians.  I guess that most pagans and atheists I know believe is some variation of karma, where as Christians are taught basically if you sin, you can be forgiven.  It seems that there is less incentive there to do the right thing, because supposedly you'll be forgiven, when by karmatic law, your negative actions will always come back to haunt you.