Coism is an obscure ideological movement, and possibly the first new 'religion' of the 21st century in Britain. Coists adhere to the Principles of Coism, a set of guidelines for principles and lifestyle. Founders believed that the principles should enable happiness, prevent hatred and be essentially liberating and conducive to stable human heterogeny.

Emergence of Coism

Coism is not a 'religion' in the way that Islam, Christianity or others may be considered to be so. It is based on a set of moral principles, to be adhered to for their own sake, rather than as a means to a spiritual end of ascension or acceptance into a metaphysical 'paradise', such as Heaven or Nibbana.

Coism began in Britain, as a number of internet users began to discuss universal moral values. The word Coism was invented to reflect the inclusive nature of the movement, and a desire to avoid certain elements of faith-based beliefs that some considered to be devicive. Coism holds a point of principle that benevolent human values should be universal, rather than faith.

Coists

Coism is intended to be a personal value, rather than a 'badge of honour', so Coists tend to be anonymous, and merely ensure that they adhere to the Principles in order to maintain a clear conscience. Coism is not a recognized religion, and there are few, if any, calls for it to be recognized as such. Some Coists may also conider themselves to be humanists, naturists, secularists or agnostics, but, importantly, never atheists.

The Principles of Coism

The Principles were collated by founding Coists, who adhered to the convention of anonimity. Their premise was, "If humanity began tomorrow, and that humanity were essentially good, and did not have millennia of religious influence to constrain its values, what would those values be?"

Spirituality

The existence of God can never be proved or disproved, and is thus inconsequential.

Any theory that cannot be tested is philosophy, not science.

Religion deserves to be treated with respect, but not reverence.

Science does not know everything, but that does not mean it knows nothing.

Faith does not constitute proof.

Humanity and morals

Everybody deserves to be respected from conception, until they prove otherwise.

Everybody deserves empathy, but not necessarily sympathy or condonation.

It is evil to kill somebody if they want to live.

It is evil to keep somebody alive if they want to die.

Everybody has a right not to be hurt, deceived, insulted, defamed or harmed.

Discrimination on grounds of age, sex, race, religion, sexuality or appearance is wrong.

Testing cosmetics on animals, and animal cruelty for pleasure is evil.

People are entitled to be carnivorous, vegetarian or vegan, but should respect the choice of others. Cannibalism is evil.

The interests of human medical knowledge take precedence over animal rights, but vivisection should minimalize suffering to as great a degree as possible without reducing the effectiveness of the science.

Wearing fur is only acceptable where essential due to cold climates.

The ability to forgive is a virtue to be desired, but nobody has a right to expect forgiveness for an evil act.

People must not be punished for acts committed due to mental incapacity, insanity, intense distress or fear.

Religious belief does not excuse evil.

Enforcers of law and keepers of peace must be respected.

It is an honourable position to oppose a war but support its soldiers.

Life and enjoyment

Sport, literature and the arts bring pleasure to humanity and should be treasured.

Learning is joyful.

The boundaries of artistic preference are infinite.

Love and sex

Sex between consenting people of sound mind, with no abuse of trust, whether married or not, and of any orientation, is beautiful.

People have a right to fall in love with whoever they will.

Sexual attraction is inevitable, and is not a vice.

All people have a right to sexual privacy and dignity, and should be free from harrassment.

Acts of friendship such as kissing, not intended for sexual gratification, do not constitute harrassment.

Money and property

Owning money, or desiring to make it honestly, is not a vice.

Healthcare should not be provided in proportion to the ability to pay.

Theft is wrong, generosity is a virtue.

Exhibitionism

Nudity, or partial nudity, where not designed to be provocative, is beautiful. (To this end, women have an equal right to expose their upper bodies in public as men, but neither should expose their genitalia in public without artistic purpose or reasonably inferred consent.)

The beauty of the human body should be celebrated. Nudity is not necessarily sexual.

Beauty is not a virtue, plainness is not a burden, vanity is not a sin.

No art should be censored due to nudity, full or partial, unless it is part of a sexual act, where discretion may be employed.

Values of sexual modesty in all places of worship must be respected and adhered to.

Reflexive gratification (masturbation) is no sin, where not causing offence.