In 1963 the magazine New Society ran an article by Ronald Fletcher, then a lecturer in sociology at Bedford College, London, entitled “A Humanist’s Decalogue”. The author was suggesting an updated version of the Biblical list of dos and don’ts as a set of non-commandments – “principles on which the individual must work out his/her own conduct when faced by particular problems”. The article was one of a series dealing especially with young people’s values.  Fletcher’s four page article expanded on each non-commandment. Ronald Fletcher finished his academic career as Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Reading.

Fletcher’s list made an impression on me, at that time a lad of twenty-something years of age, and I kept the article. I have it still, and although it’s brown with age and getting increasingly tatty, its content still seems relevant to me. I thought it might be of interest to Suffolk Humanist and Secularist Group members to read what was thought to be appropriate for a “good life” forty-five years ago. The article was originally printed in New Society, 2nd May 1963 and is the copyright of New Statesman Ltd.

The ten non-commandments, with Fletcher’s and my amplifications:

Never accept authority
Whether that of a jealous god, priest, prime minister, president, dictator, school teacher, social worker, parent, or anyone else whatsoever, unless, in your own seriously considered view, there are good grounds for it.

Base your conduct upon simple humane principles

Strive to eliminate warA variant of “Thou shalt not kill”.

Strive to eliminate poverty, and work for greater material prosperity for all

Do not be a snob
A variant of “Thou shalt not covet …”. Use material possessions for enjoyment and for enriching your own experience: not as an insignia of status for competitive snobbery.

In sexual behaviour, use your brains as well as your genitals and always in that orderWritten when HIV/AIDS was generally unknown and abortion was not common.

Enjoy family life and marriageWritten when marriage was still the popular state. Fletcher says that the family you make for yourself will be the group which will be far and away the most important in your life for d