THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN THE CLASSROOM
Keep it simple; keep it honest...
Image of Decalogue parchment by Jekuthiel Sofer, 1768.‡
News on the GOP posting of the 10 Commandments in Louisiana school classrooms alarms supporters of the separation of Church and State. Now the Texas GOP is also driving that divisive wedge into the American Heart.
Examine the wording of the 10 Commandments that will be displayed in the classrooms, especially of those at the head of the listing.
“I AM the LORD thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven images. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
How is that reconciled by a GOP so focused on honoring the gods Gog and Magog, power and money, and the Golden Calf of greed, corruption, and oppression of the masses?
Has not the commandment prohibiting killing been violated by the GOP politicians who supported the MAGA crew on the lethal and destructive assault on the U S Capitol on January 6, 2021?
Why has the GOP chosen as its candidate for the U S Presidential Election none other than the convicted felon former POTUS? Do the charges on which he was convicted not cover violation of the commandments dealing with adultery, stealing, bearing false witness? Do the actions of the GOP in denying social services to the people promote public health and welfare and prevent unnecessary deaths?
One of the first century hypocrites had this exchange with Jesus, noted in Mt 22:36-40:
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to 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 foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”
The GOP supports industries that pollute the environment and cause global warming— both actions destroy God’s creation. How does destruction of God’s creation prove GOP love of God with heart, soul, and mind?
On “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”, how does the GOP explain its continued underfunding and denial of health care to women, and educating youth; dispossessing the weak; oppressing the poor, the immigrant, the marginalized; obstructing justice and voting rights; increasing prison terms for convicts; limiting access to parole; prosecuting teenagers as adults; allowing castration of child sex offenders; expanding the methods of executing human beings; tolerating frequent summary execution of minority suspects by law enforcement with vest cameras turned off; and expanding the use of firearms in our society?
Why not adopt the above-noted all-encompassing mandate of Jesus to love God and Neighbor?
Keep it simple; keep it honest…
Keeping it simple and honest would mean keeping religion out of the classroom. Teaching compassion, ethics, and respect is wonderful. Religious references need to be kept out of the classroom. This is why we "allegedly" have separation of church and state.
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” pretty simple. 😉