Ten Statements
Louisiana's new mandate, requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms, leaves open a host of questions and potential controversies. Here's just ten:
The Ten Commandments appear twice in the Torah, in Exodus and then again in Deuteronomy. The wording, though, differs. Even within the Jewish community, there isn't a definitive wording.
Over time the inherent inconsistency have only gotten more pronounced as the different religions have grown and blossomed. Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims – we each of our own versions of the Ten Commandments. And the differences between them aren’t always trivial. Which version will be compulsory n Louisiana?
Clearly the Ten Commandments are problematic for atheists: The first five commandments relate to the human relationship with the divine.
And, the Ten Commandments are also problematic for Hindus, Buddhists, Native Americans, and others. The first commandments prohibit multiple gods and idols, which isn’t in-line with many Eastern and Native American religions.
In Jewish tradition, the Ten Commandments have not been elevated above all other commandments. In fact, the first rabbis argued vehemently against including the Ten Commandments in Jewish liturgy. They worried people wouldn’t look beyond these commandments to all the other important, ethical guidelines.
The Ten Commandments leave out about 50% of the population. Consider Commandment Ten - You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. "Husband" isn't mentioned.
The Ten Commandments really aren't age-appropriate for school age children. What elementary school teacher talks about adultery, let alone murder, with their students?
The Ten Commandments, at least in the most common translations, is quite wordy for kids.
Ten Commandments: You Shall Not Bear False Witness Kid speak: Don’t lie
Ten Commandments: You Shall not Covet Kid speak: Don’t be jealous.
Ten Commandments: Honor Thy Father and Mother Kid speak: Listen to Dad and Mom
9. I find it ironic: The second commandment says not to make a graven image. A plaque, which is posted to represent the divine, is the definition of a graven image. No?
10. Inappropriate for public spaces. Scratch that. Unconstitutional for public spaces.
