The Ten Commandments Displays furor, why?

by AlmostAtheist 13 Replies latest jw friends

  • funkyderek
    funkyderek

    Certainly the Ten Commandments could be interpreted as a historical document - not nearly as important in the history of the United States as the Magna Carta, but being one of the most famous law codes in history, it probably has a place in a museum exhibit of ancient law codes.

    The idea that the Ten Commandments promote morality, or that they are compatible with American law, however, is absurd. It's difficult to discuss individual commandments given that nobody can seem to agree on exactly how they should be divided, but assuming the Protestant divisions, the first four commands are to do with the worship of the Hebrew god. They have no place in modern law, and even among ancient law codes, seem particularly benighted. Two more are good ideas, but should not be the subject of legislation (honouring parents, not committing adultery). The prohibition on "coveting" is absolutely antithetical to the American ideal. Finally, the three important commands - those prohibiting murder, theft and perjury can probably be found in every known law code since the beginning of time.

    I am baffled as to why anyone would want to display them, especially given that even Christians don't believe they have to follow them. Displaying them as anything more than a historical curiosity would seem to me a violation of church/state separation.

  • daniel-p
    daniel-p

    My point about it being historical is not in referring to the actual historicity of the Ten Commandments. It was in light of respecting the historical signifigance of the Christian faith in reference to this country.

  • funkyderek
    funkyderek
    My point about it being historical is not in referring to the actual historicity of the Ten Commandments. It was in light of respecting the historical signifigance of the Christian faith in reference to this country.

    In that case, you might as well display a crucifix. While your country was founded by Europeans, most of whom had Christian backgrounds, and has always had a majority Christian population, there was never anything explicitly Christian about it. Your constitution is certainly not based on the Ten Commandments, and they have never had much influence on your country's judicial system, except perhaps, in the more backward areas.

  • Kaput
    Kaput
    I truly feel that there is nothing wrong with having the Ten Commandments displayed anywhere.......Imagine how much better the world would be if we all followed them.........

    Or, for an alternative:

    Imagine
    by John Lennon

    Imagine there's no heaven,
    It's easy if you try,
    No hell below us,
    Above us only sky,
    Imagine all the people,
    Living for today...

    Imagine there's no countries,
    It isn't hard to do,
    Nothing to kill or die for,
    No religion too,
    Imagine all the people,
    Living life in peace...

    Imagine no possessions,
    I wonder if you can,
    No need for greed or hunger,
    A brotherhood of man,
    Imagine all the people,
    Sharing all the world...

    You may say I'm a dreamer,
    But I'm not the only one,
    I hope some day you'll join us,
    And the world will live as one.

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