Reader Finds Contradictions In Sacred Rules
Dear Jennifer: Somehow I missed your original invitation for feedback on character and the Ten Commandments. So what do you expect for responses? After all, my patriot is your terrorist, or vice versa. Patriotism, terrorism, beauty and character are all in the opinionated eye of the beholder. Who then but fools would want to enter such uncertain territory?
The Ten Commandments, better known as the ten fallacies by those of us who know and love them, are examples of Orwellian double-speak.
Two examples are “thou shalt not kill” and “honor thy father and thy mother.”
Thou shalt not kill what? A mosquito sucking your blood? A chicken for food? It cannot mean thou shalt not kill another human because a few chapters after the legendary Moses presented the Ten Commandments he ordered his followers to kill his human opponents. The rest of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament) is full of murder and rapine including “law” for parents to take their “stubborn” children to be killed.
Honor thy abusive father or mother or be killed if you don’t?
The Ten Commandments only show that “sound-bite” philosophy and political manipulation did not originate with TV politics.
There is no reason to attempt to improve fatuous nonsense. Any attempt to improve on the commandments would eventually end up where statute law has taken us. Libraries full of law that no one understands, and arguably the most lawless society in human history.
Richard
Dear Richard: It will take me some time to think about your pithy comments. It is important to take time, out of increasingly busy schedules, to try to understand who we are and what we believe.
I have always viewed prayer as a time to think about issues of character and values. Discussions, even among fools, may qualify as social prayer, why not? If our prayers are not answered it does not mean that we shouldn’t continue to pray or meditate.
I would argue your point about lawlessness. I believe that we are one of the most law-abiding groups in history, if you consider all classes and income levels. Read Barbara Tuchman’s books on the Middle Ages, read any histories of the Wild West or the biographies of any of our presidents and you might find yourself agreeing with me.
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer: I was very moved by your Sunday column (11/24/96) in which you asked, “The Commandments: Are 10 really enough?” Ma’am, seems once we only had one rule. Apparently that wasn’t enough for us and our cultural evolution can also be traced by the growing complexity of our laws. Like you, I wonder what would happen if, instead of creating rules and looking for subsequent loopholes, we assumed personal responsibility and oriented our behavior around the Golden Rule. If, however, we must have commandments, I’d like to suggest the following:
I am the greatest of all gods. Revere all that is divine, but worship only me, often and well; Honor those who nurture; Thou shalt not murder; Thou shalt not make unrequited love; Thou shalt not conscience theft; Thou shalt not deceive; Thou shalt not envy.
Down the years, I’ve seen the best and the worst of those of our region. I’m reminded that sometimes it doesn’t take everyone lighting one little candle, but a few lighting a big enough torch for others to follow.
You’ve done that for so many for so long, Dr. James. From one “world saver” to another, let your love for them return to you. The job’s hardly finished now, is it, lass?
Merrill
Dear Merrill: The snow and flood showed so many of us the joys of being kind and generous. It feels so right to help; why do we not give this gift to ourselves more often?
When you called me “lass” you brought tears to my eyes. It sounded so much like my father. I realized in that moment how pleased he would have been of me as a grown-up. Dad always thought that giving to your community was one of the most important measures of character. Thank you.
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer: I am in agreement with you about our recyclable bodies returning to earth, with heaven and hell created by us. I try to change this world into a piece of heaven, while I’m alive. This is painful work. Your comment about not loving one’s neighbor unless we love ourselves is not entirely true. Think of softly sleeping children vs. a rambunctious brood, same with noisy, inconsiderate neighbors. The moment they pipe down or clean up they become lovable. Thus, my added commandment would be: Thou shalt be courteous/considerate and exercise common sense.
Hannah
The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Jennifer James The Spokesman-Review