Self-Righteousness (Αυτοδικαίωσις)

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

Philosophy teaches one the fundamental essence of our human nature and the significance of the power of the oneness inside of us. It also teaches one to value virtues and to lead an ethical life, but there is a thing that often is portrayed as the truth, when it is contrary to its principle. It is known as self-righteousness. In Meleticism, the concept of self-righteousness should not be confused with virtuousness, and it does not share the belief that being righteous, we are free from misdeeds. There is a right and wrong path in life. A path that should not condemn us for our disbelief in a god with guilt and sin.

Guilt is a feeling that lingers inside of us, and the notion of sin is meant to impose upon us an oppressive burden. Neither guilt nor sin should be attributed to the achievement of virtues. Sin is rejected in Meleticism, because we are accountable for our actions, and sin manifests with sanctimony or piety in an attempt to justify one's espousing faith. This perspective reinforces the idea that human beings should be responsible for their own actions, without feeling beholden to an external system of moral judgement.

Whilst religion offers one a direct path to salvation, Meleticism is about the intrinsic path to enlightenment. Salvation is not of a divine nature. We have the capability to save ourselves. Thus, we are a saviour of our own souls, when we are unified with the genuine belief that we are intellectual beings of enlightenment. Meleticism’s rejection of sin is a call for personal freedom from this imposed moral weight, which allows individuals to focus on moral growth and the development of virtues like temperance, wisdom and humility.

Self-righteousness is the assumption that one is morally superior than others, due to the ethical belief that makes that person more virtuous than others who are deemed sinners or inferior based on their incredulity. No man is more worthy than another man because of his professed praise or worship of a deity. The good deeds that we accomplish serve as a reminder of our moral truth. After all, it is this moral truth that expresses the benevolence of our actions and intentions. We have the autonomy to pursue self-improvement and enlightenment.

Our judgement must never be representative of our irrational behaviour displayed. The core of Meleticism’s path is self-realisation. Wisdom should reflect the knowledge that we acquire and the morality that we should uphold in its just principle. By imposing self-righteous positions unto others, we negate the self and empower the ego. Our attitude should not be defined by sanctimonious doctrines that inhibit our character and virtues. To think that good deeds are measured by faith is erroneous and is a falsehood.

The belief in a god does not make one righteous, because the conformity of life to a divine law would signify that we as people would have to be complaisant to laws that judge us based on our belief or non-belief. To a Meletic, the state of righteousness bears no absolute quality that is reasonable or noble. We must set an example for others through our expressed actions. To practise temperance, wisdom and humbleness is enough to know that these elements of a good and moral life are what embody the true nature of our character.

How can we claim to be virtuous, if we do not demonstrate its validity with good deeds? These virtues are not contingent on belief, but on the actions that reflect these inner qualities. In this way, Meleticism evokes the challenge to individuals to cultivate these virtues, emphasising personal responsibility and autonomy over the conformity to a divine law.

Virtue is proven through action and behaviour, not through adherence to a belief system. In other words, the self-righteous individual is someone who claims moral superiority not based on actions but because of the beliefs they hold, particularly about their relationship to a god or divine law.

A man who chooses to follow in the tempting steps of self-righteousness forsakes the mind to irrationality and the soul to ruination. With philosophical understanding, we affirm the relevance of our ethics and the moral compass that conduces our consciousness. It is easier to conceive to the supreme laws of a god, who rules with his might than to conceive to the power of transcendence that (Το Ένα), the One gives our minds. Believing in ourselves makes us conscious and wiser.

Ignorance is often what blinds our perception of things. We tend to listen to what others tell us than to contemplate the meaning of something. Self-righteousness is a form of hypocrisy that distorts our integrity and self. A self-righteous man thinks he can do no wrong, under the laws of a god, but what he fails to realise is that whatever virtuous life he assumes to resemble through religious purity is only dismissed by the denial of his errant conviction. His fervent belief is negated by his ignorance of the truth and disregard for the natural laws of mankind.

Redemption in the religious sense is unnecessary, when we understand that we compensate for our faults through the acknowledgement of the truth and the discernment of our wisdom. To Ena does not rectify our errant path with unfounded dogmas. We ultimately rectify our faults with the belief that we are capable of being virtuous without a god and being moral in our judgement. Redemption, therefore, becomes a process of continual self-improvement and ethical development, guided by the principles of wisdom, temperance, humility and reason.

Once we accept that to be righteous means that we are not beholden to a divine law, but to the morality that we define with our virtues, then we can use our wisdom to establish our philosophical principles. This self-redemption is tied to the understanding of natural laws and personal responsibility. Instead of seeking redemption from an external divine source, individuals in Meleticism find redemption by learning from their mistakes, cultivating virtues, and applying their knowledge to better their actions.

Self-righteousness is seen as an obstacle to true self-awareness and enlightenment. It arises when a man believes his understanding or virtue is superior to others, leading to a rigid mindset that contradicts the philosophy’s emphasis on humility and continuous growth. Meleticism teaches that wisdom is not about asserting moral superiority, but about embracing the ongoing process of learning and self-discovery. A self-righteous person may cling to their beliefs without questioning them, hindering their ability to connect with To Ena and blocking the natural flow of consciousness. This state of mind distances individuals from true enlightenment because it replaces self-reflection with self-importance, creating a barrier between them and deeper awareness.

Instead of self-righteousness, Meleticism encourages humbleness and temperance as guiding virtues. Recognizing that all individuals are on different paths of understanding fosters compassion and openness rather than judgment. True wisdom in Meleticism is found in acknowledging that no person possesses absolute knowledge; rather, growth comes from questioning, observing, and refining one’s perception. By practicing self-awareness and ethical reflection, individuals can transcend self-righteousness, allowing their minds to remain open to new insights. In doing so, they cultivate an authentic connection with the philosophy’s principles, ensuring that their pursuit of enlightenment is not tainted by arrogance but enriched by genuine understanding and virtue.

In Meleticism, transcendence is about realising the present interconnection of all existence and aligning oneself with the natural flow of the cosmos, rather than adhering to a set of moral laws imposed by a supposed deity. This personal, intellectual realisation provides a source of strength and moral guidance, independent of divine authority. True virtue is evidenced through actions and is not dependent on external belief systems or divine judgement. To Ena contrasts its power to transcendence against the often rigid and hierarchical laws of religious systems of self-righteousness.

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