In Ecclesiastes 6:11, we read, “For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man?” I’ve spent a number of years of my life studying the Bible, and I’ve come to the conclusion that this verse pretty much sums up the whole thing. You look at most religions, and they all have these elaborate Scriptures, and what are they all really? “Many words.” Solomon (or whoever) had it exactly right.
Good religion does not need many words. In fact, here’s a good religion that takes precisely 13 words to express: “Our purpose is to make life better for ourselves and those around us.” We could elaborate on these 13 words, of course. We take care of ourself first (so that other people don’t have to do it for us), then we make life better for our family, our neighbors, our friends and co-workers, our community, our country and our world. And we focus our efforts where the circles are smallest, since that’s most efficient. But still, 13 words sums it up.
Your 13 words is an excellent philosophy, but I see no reason to call it a religion.
There isn’t, I think but the point here is that, as a religion it would be a pretty decent one.
Yes, the best way to to ruin a good idea is to expand it into a religion.
So…can you now have tax-exempt status?
Before I realized I was an atheist, I used to say I had one religious belief: I want to leave the world no worse off (and preferably better) than it would have been had I never existed. Your 13 words sum up the idea a bit more concisely, but I agree with Yellow Thursday and davidct that this isn’t really a religious belief. It’s actually a very practical approach to making life more pleasant for everyone; no whiff of the supernatural at all.
Ecclesiastes is the best book of the bible since it’s just 4th century (the legendary figure of Solomon had nothing to do with it) BC Hebrew poetry with some philosophical leanings. It’s also immensely quotable to Christians, 9:5 and 9:10 especially.