Christian perspective: Don't put Ten Commandments in Idaho classrooms
Idaho is debating whether to place the Ten Commandments in school classrooms. We are all familiar with the Ten Commandments. They are an important part of several major religions.
These Commandments were etched into stone tablets thousands of years ago. In all probability, they were never displayed publicly. Jewish tradition required that they be put in a chest, called the Ark of the Covenant.
The original tablets would have never been seen in classrooms, courtrooms, the halls of government or even on the walls of the temple. Instead, they were hidden away in the Holy of Holies, the most hidden and sacred part of the temple.
One might think that placing these commandments in school classrooms would help our children learn God's law, but it is just the opposite. By doing so, we are only abdicating our responsibilities.
Wise pastors are heard to say that the problem isn't that there is not prayer in our schools, but rather that there is not prayer in our homes. So too with the truth of God's Commandments.
The responsibility lies with us, the parents. Do we really want anyone else teaching morality to our children?
Of course, we can only teach what we know. This is why Moses told the people to write the Commandments on the doorpost of their houses and on their gates, and to bind the law as a sign on their hand and between their eyes. He was reminding the people that the law was to be written on their hearts, both to inform how they think and guide what they do.
In other words, it was not about their neighbor. Each person knew that they were personally called to obedience to God.
There is another important reason why posting the Ten Commandments falls short. Namely, they deal with what we should not do. In this way they are not unique. Many ancient civilizations had similar moral codes.
Jesus took the law to a new, higher level. He made most laws a matter of our heart and our intentions. This changed everything. No longer was the focus on what we must not do. Jesus emphasized that the foremost principle is to 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
This became known as the 'Royal Law' among his disciples. And while there is a temptation to pick and choose who our neighbor is, Jesus doesn't give us this option. In his parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus teaches that loving your neighbor is meeting the needs of anyone around you. This is true even if they are different than you.
Loving our neighbor is love in action. It is this 'action' that reveals a transformed heart and genuine love. Repeatedly, the teachings of Jesus encourage us to rise above legalistic obedience to the Ten Commandments.
For example, while the commandment says, 'Thou shall have no God's before me,' Jesus tells us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. We express this love by not only loving him but obeying his commandment to: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'
This is our highest calling. If we aspire to be a Christian nation, we should follow the teachings of Jesus. For when we love our neighbor, we go beyond the laws of the Ten Commandments. When Jesus' words are written on the hearts of Christians, men and women will become living monuments and take God's love and righteousness into every classroom, business, government office and church across the nation.
Few will ignore those who are willing to love their neighbor as themselves. Our children will learn from our example that their is a higher love, one that calls for everyone to follow Jesus' teachings. There is nothing more important than this. The one who helps his neighbor, not caring about their religion, ethnicity, nation or color of their skin is fulfilling the highest law. Only this will change the world.
John Watson was a 35-year local golf professional, now retired. Larry Lilly has been a professional landscaper and longtime Bible teacher, also now retired. Together they have written and published the book, 'Roadblocks to God; A Book of Heresy.'
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It finally came down in late May, in time for the parish's 125th anniversary Mass on June 1. Most of the murals have now undergone conservation. More work lies ahead, but it made an opportunity to savor the latest results. 'When you're up there, you really get caught up in every little spot,' Ruiz said. 'Then I look at the big picture. It's so much better than how it was four months ago. It looks so solid. All the colors just pop.' ___ AP photographer Gene Puskar and AP videographer Jessie Wardarski contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . 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