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Thursday, October 27, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Replacing The Ten Commandments
As both an American and as a Christian,I believe that God is the divine providence that blesses America.However,one of the major things that I believe that helps keep America great is our God given right to believe[or not believe] as one sees fit.
What America does not need is a force claiming to be the welding arm of God,nor one that then forces this power on the American people against the American people's will.
This,in my opinion,has more to do with following God as one chooses more than disarming,destroying and/or forcing God out of America.For I believe you can not extinguish God out of America any more than you can extinguish God.
Is God any less because someone states that God does not exist?No.Mankind could vanish or learn to totally ignore God,and God would still be the creator of all things.
This is why America is so great.We acknowledge the divine providence that is God.God is on our money.We swear by God in our courts.We live as though God is providing for us.In this way we give thanks and praise.
But by forcing faith on those whom choose not to believe as we do,we open a Pandora's box against ourselves that we can not easily close.For,who are 'WE'?
By forcing claims of faith upon the people of America,how are we as Americans to know whether we are following the will of our Lord or the excess's of man?
I could prophesize to you or you to me.Do you baptise me as a babe,or I you as a willing adult?Do we drink real wine or grape juice to share in the blood of Christ?Soon,we are no longer free in the message of the good news,but muddled down in which rules and regulations we are to follow.Next,we are arguing if we should even be following the rules and laws or relying on the grace and mercy of God's will.
This nit picking of intolerance gathers steam into a those who are not with us are against us tirades.Our strongest strength,the strength of God is whittled down to the choosing the chosen few.Divine providence is no longer over the whole land,just mine,or yours.
While belief in God is worth fighting for,we end up fighting against the very thing we already have.The right to believe the way we so choose.
Therefore,only by keeping the church and state separate can America keep God's providence over the land.By fighting for the right to believe[or not believe] as we each personally choose,we truly allow for each person to keep God utmost in their hearts and souls(if they so chose to do so),thus we increase God's hand upon the land.
For our faith comes from God.Not man.
This is way I am against the Ten Commandments being posted on City,State or Federal property.
Much has been written about this[read this and this] position.Suffice it to say that there is not just one Ten Commandments in The Bible,not only even these two versions [Exodus 20:1-17 & Deuteronomy 5:1-21 ],but a third lesser used version that is the only one that actual claims to be the Ten Commandments[Exodus 34:15-28]!Complicating things,different faiths have different opinions on how these commandments are divided up,and different versions of the Bible state them differently.
Not only that,but only when the Hollywood movie mongol Cecil B. DeMille got together in 1955 with the F.O.E.(Fraternal Order Of Eagles) did the Commandments actually become a traditional display on State and Federal grounds [read here ].
Despite all this,the best argument against posting the commandments on public property is that they are virtually universally ignored and send no message except that these are laws which few choose to follow.It is only the arrogant piety of a selected few that would hypocritically even want to post these.
Before I am stoned by the masses,let me go through as far as a need be to to explain my position.I am not against the Ten Commandments.As a Christian I see the need for them.However,as a Christian,I don't see them as being the most Christian of doctrines,or the need for them to be posted everywhere.I intend to go through the commandments,state my case,and then,as a Christian offer an alternative more in line with the Christian message.
I will use the Ten Commandments found on the F.O.E. monuments.
#1:Thy Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me...Jesus said,“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Jesus also said,‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Of all the Ten,this seems the commandment most people tend to follow.Yet,how many of us-at least at times-put our jobs,or other factors before God?And doesn't Jesus appear to be discounting the rest of the Ten by saying all the rest of these laws are based on loving God and our neighbors as ourselves?
#2:Thy Shall Not Make To Thyself Any Graven Images...The cross-alone-could be considered a graven image.But paintings,Statues,even movies such as 'The Ten Commandments' could also foot this bill.In a bit of irony,monuments of the commandments could even break this commandment.
#3:Thy Shall Not Use The Name Of The Lord God In Vain...OMG!We are all very lax in this to the point of absurdity.
#4:Remember The Sabbath Day And Keep It Holy...The Biblical passages[Exodus 20:8-11] goes into much more detail about this.No work at all!None!Jesus cured on the Sabbath.If Jesus negated this commandment...why are we so adamant about about it?And not many Christians are.This is the absurdity of wanting the Ten Commandants posted at the courthouse:Most court houses are open on Saturday!
#5:Honor Thy Father And Thy Mother That Thy Days May be Long Upon The Land Which The Lord God Giveth Thee...These are good words.We all should honor our parents,and most people do.I believe the whole commandment is printed here as a blessing upon America when this commandment is carried out.But Jesus,in Mark 7:5-23,questions the letter of the law over the law itself.In order to save America you must love it.It must come from your heart.You can't force morality.That turns people clever in ways of avoiding the laws.
#6:Thy Shall Not Kill...There is legal murder everywhere.Yet,Jesus Christ not only died on the cross,he forgave those that did it.Even in life,Jesus proclaimed,"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell." The 6th commandment is superseded by Christ's message.To forgive.To have mercy.To settle things.
#7:Thy Shall Not Commit Adultery...Here,Jesus does not only forgive the adulteress["Then neither do I condemn you.Go and sin not more."],but again superseded the commandment:For Jesus said,"“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Jesus goes further on to say,"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."I don't see too many one eyed followers of Christ.I don't hear this preached.But I do see allot of lustful situations on Tv.On the radio.Tv commercials!It seems our whole society is built on lust.Like Jesus,I will not condemn.But in #7,we don't do too much of looking the other way..in fact,we can't keep our eyes off it.This is a big case for love,mercy and forgiveness.
#8:Thy Shall Not Steal....Again,Jesus' authority comes into play:"If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic."And ,"“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” These are both cases for 'Christian' charity.But,too many times in America today,the corporations teach the value of America is ,'I've got mine',and that the poor are lecherous,greedy,lazy and deserving of everything they get and don't get.The stealing the poor do is easily and readily condemned.The stealing the rich do is easily overlooked and justified.Money is the root of all evil....not the lack of it.
#9:Thy Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor...In The Parable Of The Good Samaritan,Jesus clarifies that even our enemies are our neighbors.Yet,politicians,Tv news and Wall Street commercials bear false witness all the time.It is no longer easy to vote on a candidate's merits,but by which politician is less creepy.Slander,is a given.
#10:Thy shall Not Covet Thy Neighbor's House.Thy Shall Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Wife,Nor His Manservant,Nor His Maidservant,Nor His Cattle,Nor Anything That Is Thy Neighbor's....This is where those that claim that America is a Capitalistic society come in direct conflict with the Ten commandments.We,as Americans,are taught to covet from birth.The grass is always greener.You can't be happy unless you have this new and improved this or that.Posting 'Thy Shall Not Covet' to Americans is a joke.Christianity and Capitalism are almost always at conflict.Greed vs. charity.Selfishness vs. love.Ministers in Cadillacs.It just doesn't fit.
As you can see,the Ten Commandments are not as a good an example to Americans as one would suppose.Their religious values can not be denied,but as you have just read,most of them have either been superseded by Jesus or mostly or totally ignored by most mostly good Americans.
Why there is a fight to put these up on public governmental property is almost beyond me.One must ask,just whose purpose does their display serve?God's?The Government's?Either?Neither?Both?Just whom are they commanding?
You can not command faith.
I purpose a compromise.Not commands.Not condemnation.But blessings that serve the American purpose.I suggest if Americans have to post any doctrine,it be the Christian,Jesus said Beatitudes:
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I know that the Beatitudes don't have the reach or the inclusiveness of the Ten Commandments,but what it does have is a tone more in tune with the American spirit and the American documents such as The Declaration Of Independence and The Constitution.
The Beatitudes order no one.Give no commands.But blesses those that need blessed.
I believe-if any religious purpose should be posted in public at all-The Beatitudes are the correct choice.
What America does not need is a force claiming to be the welding arm of God,nor one that then forces this power on the American people against the American people's will.
This,in my opinion,has more to do with following God as one chooses more than disarming,destroying and/or forcing God out of America.For I believe you can not extinguish God out of America any more than you can extinguish God.
Is God any less because someone states that God does not exist?No.Mankind could vanish or learn to totally ignore God,and God would still be the creator of all things.
This is why America is so great.We acknowledge the divine providence that is God.God is on our money.We swear by God in our courts.We live as though God is providing for us.In this way we give thanks and praise.
But by forcing faith on those whom choose not to believe as we do,we open a Pandora's box against ourselves that we can not easily close.For,who are 'WE'?
By forcing claims of faith upon the people of America,how are we as Americans to know whether we are following the will of our Lord or the excess's of man?
I could prophesize to you or you to me.Do you baptise me as a babe,or I you as a willing adult?Do we drink real wine or grape juice to share in the blood of Christ?Soon,we are no longer free in the message of the good news,but muddled down in which rules and regulations we are to follow.Next,we are arguing if we should even be following the rules and laws or relying on the grace and mercy of God's will.
This nit picking of intolerance gathers steam into a those who are not with us are against us tirades.Our strongest strength,the strength of God is whittled down to the choosing the chosen few.Divine providence is no longer over the whole land,just mine,or yours.
While belief in God is worth fighting for,we end up fighting against the very thing we already have.The right to believe the way we so choose.
Therefore,only by keeping the church and state separate can America keep God's providence over the land.By fighting for the right to believe[or not believe] as we each personally choose,we truly allow for each person to keep God utmost in their hearts and souls(if they so chose to do so),thus we increase God's hand upon the land.
For our faith comes from God.Not man.
This is way I am against the Ten Commandments being posted on City,State or Federal property.
Much has been written about this[read this and this] position.Suffice it to say that there is not just one Ten Commandments in The Bible,not only even these two versions [Exodus 20:1-17 & Deuteronomy 5:1-21 ],but a third lesser used version that is the only one that actual claims to be the Ten Commandments[Exodus 34:15-28]!Complicating things,different faiths have different opinions on how these commandments are divided up,and different versions of the Bible state them differently.
Not only that,but only when the Hollywood movie mongol Cecil B. DeMille got together in 1955 with the F.O.E.(Fraternal Order Of Eagles) did the Commandments actually become a traditional display on State and Federal grounds [read here ].
Despite all this,the best argument against posting the commandments on public property is that they are virtually universally ignored and send no message except that these are laws which few choose to follow.It is only the arrogant piety of a selected few that would hypocritically even want to post these.
Before I am stoned by the masses,let me go through as far as a need be to to explain my position.I am not against the Ten Commandments.As a Christian I see the need for them.However,as a Christian,I don't see them as being the most Christian of doctrines,or the need for them to be posted everywhere.I intend to go through the commandments,state my case,and then,as a Christian offer an alternative more in line with the Christian message.
I will use the Ten Commandments found on the F.O.E. monuments.
#1:Thy Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me...Jesus said,“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Jesus also said,‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Of all the Ten,this seems the commandment most people tend to follow.Yet,how many of us-at least at times-put our jobs,or other factors before God?And doesn't Jesus appear to be discounting the rest of the Ten by saying all the rest of these laws are based on loving God and our neighbors as ourselves?
#2:Thy Shall Not Make To Thyself Any Graven Images...The cross-alone-could be considered a graven image.But paintings,Statues,even movies such as 'The Ten Commandments' could also foot this bill.In a bit of irony,monuments of the commandments could even break this commandment.
#3:Thy Shall Not Use The Name Of The Lord God In Vain...OMG!We are all very lax in this to the point of absurdity.
#4:Remember The Sabbath Day And Keep It Holy...The Biblical passages[Exodus 20:8-11] goes into much more detail about this.No work at all!None!Jesus cured on the Sabbath.If Jesus negated this commandment...why are we so adamant about about it?And not many Christians are.This is the absurdity of wanting the Ten Commandants posted at the courthouse:Most court houses are open on Saturday!
#5:Honor Thy Father And Thy Mother That Thy Days May be Long Upon The Land Which The Lord God Giveth Thee...These are good words.We all should honor our parents,and most people do.I believe the whole commandment is printed here as a blessing upon America when this commandment is carried out.But Jesus,in Mark 7:5-23,questions the letter of the law over the law itself.In order to save America you must love it.It must come from your heart.You can't force morality.That turns people clever in ways of avoiding the laws.
#6:Thy Shall Not Kill...There is legal murder everywhere.Yet,Jesus Christ not only died on the cross,he forgave those that did it.Even in life,Jesus proclaimed,"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell." The 6th commandment is superseded by Christ's message.To forgive.To have mercy.To settle things.
#7:Thy Shall Not Commit Adultery...Here,Jesus does not only forgive the adulteress["Then neither do I condemn you.Go and sin not more."],but again superseded the commandment:For Jesus said,"“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Jesus goes further on to say,"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."I don't see too many one eyed followers of Christ.I don't hear this preached.But I do see allot of lustful situations on Tv.On the radio.Tv commercials!It seems our whole society is built on lust.Like Jesus,I will not condemn.But in #7,we don't do too much of looking the other way..in fact,we can't keep our eyes off it.This is a big case for love,mercy and forgiveness.
#8:Thy Shall Not Steal....Again,Jesus' authority comes into play:"If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic."And ,"“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” These are both cases for 'Christian' charity.But,too many times in America today,the corporations teach the value of America is ,'I've got mine',and that the poor are lecherous,greedy,lazy and deserving of everything they get and don't get.The stealing the poor do is easily and readily condemned.The stealing the rich do is easily overlooked and justified.Money is the root of all evil....not the lack of it.
#9:Thy Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor...In The Parable Of The Good Samaritan,Jesus clarifies that even our enemies are our neighbors.Yet,politicians,Tv news and Wall Street commercials bear false witness all the time.It is no longer easy to vote on a candidate's merits,but by which politician is less creepy.Slander,is a given.
#10:Thy shall Not Covet Thy Neighbor's House.Thy Shall Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Wife,Nor His Manservant,Nor His Maidservant,Nor His Cattle,Nor Anything That Is Thy Neighbor's....This is where those that claim that America is a Capitalistic society come in direct conflict with the Ten commandments.We,as Americans,are taught to covet from birth.The grass is always greener.You can't be happy unless you have this new and improved this or that.Posting 'Thy Shall Not Covet' to Americans is a joke.Christianity and Capitalism are almost always at conflict.Greed vs. charity.Selfishness vs. love.Ministers in Cadillacs.It just doesn't fit.
As you can see,the Ten Commandments are not as a good an example to Americans as one would suppose.Their religious values can not be denied,but as you have just read,most of them have either been superseded by Jesus or mostly or totally ignored by most mostly good Americans.
Why there is a fight to put these up on public governmental property is almost beyond me.One must ask,just whose purpose does their display serve?God's?The Government's?Either?Neither?Both?Just whom are they commanding?
You can not command faith.
I purpose a compromise.Not commands.Not condemnation.But blessings that serve the American purpose.I suggest if Americans have to post any doctrine,it be the Christian,Jesus said Beatitudes:
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I know that the Beatitudes don't have the reach or the inclusiveness of the Ten Commandments,but what it does have is a tone more in tune with the American spirit and the American documents such as The Declaration Of Independence and The Constitution.
The Beatitudes order no one.Give no commands.But blesses those that need blessed.
I believe-if any religious purpose should be posted in public at all-The Beatitudes are the correct choice.
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