I took one of those knowledge quizzes about Christian beliefs on the web. While reading the results I learned that many of the respondents claim not to be followers of any major religion but list themselves as “spiritual.” It causes me to wonder what one who is spiritual believes. Of course I went straight to the be-all of information, Wikipedia. The article on “Spirituality” stated, “…there is no necessary connection between spirituality and belief at all.” This bothers me.
It is very clear (at least to them) what Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Confucians, Hindus, Jainists, Jews, Muslims, Shintoists, Sikhs and Taoists believe. There is a long history of codification of their belief systems. There are disagreements in each about practices, but written codes are agreed upon by nearly all adherents. Few if any Christians would reject the common understanding of the Ten Commandments.
What does a spiritual person believe? For a person to claim to be spiritual is not a claim to be a spiritualist meaning there is a group for whom there is a set of common beliefs and morals creating unity with others. One who is spiritual seems to not need beliefs or even a common code of maxims.
I seek to remedy that lack by offering a set of laxims, or maxims-lite. To account for the lack of common precepts held by folks who have nothing maxim-wise in common with others, laxims are by their very definition less stringent than the maxims of major religions. They are taken from the writings of Ludicrous Laximus, Roamin pillosopher during the Age of Enlitenment.
During this age, as you likely remember from history class, lite beer was developed along with Crystal Lite, lite foods and even lite pet food. Lite FM introduced Holiday Lite, and the postal service adopted LiteBlue, a career management service. News lite services such as QE-lite emerged. For such an overweight society we certainly have a penchant for the lite life. Laxims should be a hit.
Along with definitions referring to reduced calorie, alcohol, sugar or fat, Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines lite as: “diminished or lacking in substance or seriousness; being an innocuous or unthreatening version.” So, these laxims are to be taken litely, certainly not any more seriously than someone would take the maxims of a religion to which s/he claims no adherence.
Though maxims come from a variety of sources I begin with the two “Great Commandments” of Christianity and offer the following laxims. “Love yourself and put no others before you,” and “Do unto some others what you want all others to do unto you.” This should relieve some relationship stress. Next, considering the “Ten Commandments” we could have these laxims:
1. Honor no other gods except money. This would help out a bunch of folks.
2. Have no other idols before you except money, cars, TVs, cell phones, the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, movie stars, and rock stars. Fortunately for God but unfortunately for us there are few if any political stars.
3. Honor God’s name unless an expletive makes the point better. Thankfully to some vulgarity was not specifically mentioned.
4. Honor the Sabbath unless it is good for business.
5. Honor your mother or your father.
6. Do not murder except when you are doing unto others before they are doing unto you.
7. Do not commit adultery except when your sex life at home is boring or a, b, and c, or x, y, and z; or when you are sure it won’t end up on Twitter.
8. Do not steal except in such small amounts no one notices or cares, in such large amounts that you believe you are above the law or it is worth the time in prison, or your name is IRiS.
9. Do not lie unless you are sure you won’t get caught, it serves the moment, or you consider it kind; or it won’t end up on Twitter.
10. Do not covet except for “real” needs such as the latest phones, video games, fashions and jewelry, a shinier car, bigger house, faster computer, glitzier TV, more money (need I go on) , or if your neighbor’s spouse is really hot and coming on to you.
Over the years many writers have written maxims about what to avoid. A choice appropriate to this piece is “Flee cynicism and sarcasm.” The corollary laxim (one to which I secularly adhere) is “Flee cynicism and sarcasm, but free satire.”
Other maxims will be the subject of future posts. Today, I leave you with one from Ben Franklin, “Absence sharpens love; presence strengthens it.” The corollary laxim from Ludicrous Laximus is: “Abstinence harpoons love, but presents lengthen it.” Until next time… 
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