The massive push in red states to post the Ten Commandments (King James English, of course) is about posturing and hurting people, not about Christianity, as they pretend.
First, the Ten Commandments aren’t particularly Christian. They were given first to Ancient Israel, and when Judaism was first codified in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, they were put into our current form and given to the Jews.
Jesus didn’t do away with the laws, but he taught the reality behind the Ten Commandments. All the commandments are about love and faithfulness, as Jesus taught.
Secondly, if the interest was in teaching children morality, the Christian right would put those commandments into a form that was age-appropriate for children, which no one would have a problem with.
Be respectful of others. Don’t use harsh and cruel words. Keep your promises. Don’t take things that don’t belong to you. If you have enough, share with those who do not. Listen to your teacher. Don’t talk badly about others to your friends. If someone hurts you, tell a trusted adult in your life. Don’t bully others. Be kind. Use your body to help people, not to hurt them…
These are rules that no one has a problem with (except for those who are treacherous). They belong to every religion on earth, except for the religious right. And these rules are the backbone of every society. When they collapse, society soon follows.
But they are NOT what the religious right means when they want the Ten Commandments posted in schools. Having lived over 50 years with them, I know that their interest is only in hurting others who don’t agree with them.
I know that many will call me unfair. But look at what we are bombarded with by the religious right. If you came out of it, look at your own experience:
Are you more concerned about Trans bathrooms? Or about harsh and cruel words.
Are you more concerned about gay marriage? Or about rape, abuse and assault?
Are you more concerned about Muslem neighbors? Or about theft, greed and gluttony
Are you more concerned about LGBTQ people carrying rainbow flags? Or about racism, ICE thugs, and people in power calling women “piggy”.
When you are using your faith to hurt, crush the spirit, and bully others, it is not Christianity, and it isn’t about the Ten Commandments.
Maybe a reminder about Jesus and what he said for those who say they follow him:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.This is the great and first commandment,And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”
And one more from John the Apostle: The one who says “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
I have no problem teaching children to love one another in schools.
We could even make it a placard: “Be Kind to Each Other”
You can donate to my campaign here:
Sam Powell for Senate 