Latest news with #Commandments
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas Lawmakers Score Major Victory in Bringing Ten Commandments Into Classrooms
Texas Republicans are cheering at the erosion of the separation of church and state as their proposal to require all public school classrooms in the Lone Star State to display the Ten Commandments inches closer and closer to the finish line. On Saturday, the Republican-controlled House gave its preliminary approval for the bill, which is expected to go to a final vote in the coming days. It would then be signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, who in 2005 successfully argued before the Supreme Court for the display of the Ten Commandments in front of the Texas State Capitol. The bill would require public schools to display a 16-inch by 20-inch poster or framed copy of one specific English language version of the Commandments, although exact translations differ depending on denomination and source text used. Democratic attempts to amend the bill so that schools would also be required to display texts from other religions or provide different translations of the Commandments failed. If the bill passes into law, Texas would become the largest state to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, joining its neighbor Louisiana, which passed a similar law last year, and Arkansas, which passed a similar law last month. Louisiana's law is currently on hold pending legal challenges, after a judge ruled that it was 'unconstitutional on its face.' Texas state Rep. Candy Noble, a co-sponsor of the bill, said that its focus was to look at what is 'historically important to our nation educationally and judicially.' During the floor debate, Noble also said, 'It is incumbent on all of us to follow God's law and I think we would all be better off if we did.' If it passes, the law is expected to face similar constitutional challenges to the Louisiana law from critics who consider it to be a violation of the separation of church and state. A letter signed by dozens of Christian and Jewish faith leaders noted that thousands of students educated in Texas schools have no relationship with Christianity or the Ten Commandments. Robert Tuttle, a professor of religion and law at George Washington University, said of the bill, 'The constant presence of a sacred text in the room with them is effectively telling them, 'Hey, these are things you should read and obey.'' He added, 'That's not the state's job—to do religious instruction.' If the bill does pass, it will undoubtedly face legal challenges that might take the battle all the way to the Supreme Court. Critics of the proposal are hopeful that the court's recent deadlock in the case of the country's first religious charter school in Oklahoma means that the court has not entirely abandoned the principle of separating church and state. The Supreme Court's 4-4 split means that the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling barring the establishment of the Catholic charter school stands. Texas lawmakers also recently passed a measure that would allow school districts to provide students and staff a daily voluntary period of time to pray or read a religious text, which Gov. Abbott is expected to sign into law. Unlike the display of the Ten Commandments, that measure is entirely voluntary and applicable to practitioners of all religions. Democratic state Rep. James Talarico was nevertheless concerned that the language of the bill could increase the ability of school teachers and administrators to reward and incentivize school prayer. He argued, 'When we allow teachers and principals, those in positions of power, to impose their religion on other people, especially children, we are undermining the freedom of religion that made this state and this country great, and it is a threat to religious and nonreligious people alike.'
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NYC Archbishop Timothy Dolan worries about health of Pope Francis, says ‘it's not looking good'
Archbishop of New York City Cardinal Timothy Dolan appeared on "Fox & Friends Weekend" to discuss a variety of topics, including the health of Pope Francis. Dolan candidly conceded, "It's not looking good." He explained, "Look, we gotta be kind of realistic. When you get double pneumonia in anybody, you're worried. I mean, if a child gets double pneumonia -- When you got double pneumonia in an 88 year-old-man, who has only got 75 percent of his lung capacity and is struggling with arthritis and a bunch of stuff, it's not looking good." Dolan added about the Pope: "I admire his grit. I admire his resilience. I'm praying with him. But I'm praying for him. But I think we have to be realistic as he certainly is." The archbishop of New York City also said the closing of Catholic schools in New York City is a tragedy brought on by lack of parent interest and funding. "I literally tear up when we have to close them," Dolan said when describing the increasing number of Catholic schools in New York City that are being shut down amid a funding and enrollment crisis. "And we just had to go through some of that again. And it literally breaks our hearts." Dolan said that Catholic schools thrive when they focus on "quality, character-based, first-class education and passing on the faith." Read On The Fox News App Pope Blasts Trump Admin Over Mass Deportation Plan, Directs Ire At Vance's Religious Defense For Policies"Both of those are essential," he said. Dolan emphasized that even the subsidized price of education at a Catholic school is worth the sacrifice for parents if they believe that their children are receiving an "unapologetically Catholic" education that focuses on relaying the faith to a new generation. "Those are the schools that are thriving," he said. Cardinal Dolan also related concerns from pastors in New York City who lead struggling Catholic schools and ask themselves if their school is properly '"stressing the Commandments, the Bible, prayer, fidelity, the Sacraments?' If not, why do we have them?" Pope Selects Liberal California Cardinal As New Dc Catholic Leader Ahead Of Trump Inauguration "We got schools elsewhere that are jam-packed," Dolan said. "We got schools that are thriving. And that's what hurts us, I think. It hurts me. I love talking about our Catholic schools. I love them. I'm passionate about them. They're still strong and the future's looking bright for a number of reasons." Archbishop Dolan has argued with Vice President JD Vance over illegal immigration. Vance criticized the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for allowing illegal immigrants in order to gain funding from the federal government in an interview with Face the Nation on Jan. 26, a claim that Dolan has rejected as being "nasty." "I think that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops needs to actually look in the mirror a little bit and recognize that when they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns or are they actually worried about their bottom line?" Vance said. "You think we make money caring for the immigrants?" Dolan said in a later interview on "The Catholic Channel." "We're losing it hand over fist," Dolan article source: NYC Archbishop Timothy Dolan worries about health of Pope Francis, says 'it's not looking good'
Fox News
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
NYC Archbishop Timothy Dolan worries about health of Pope Francis, says ‘it's not looking good'
Archbishop of New York City Cardinal Timothy Dolan appeared on "Fox & Friends Weekend" to discuss a variety of topics, including the health of Pope Francis. Dolan candidly conceded, "It's not looking good." He explained, "Look, we gotta be kind of realistic. When you get double pneumonia in anybody, you're worried. I mean, if a child gets double pneumonia -- When you got double pneumonia in an 88 year-old-man, who has only got 75 percent of his lung capacity and is struggling with arthritis and a bunch of stuff, it's not looking good." Dolan added about the Pope: "I admire his grit. I admire his resilience. I'm praying with him. But I'm praying for him. But I think we have to be realistic as he certainly is." The archbishop of New York City also said the closing of Catholic schools in New York City is a tragedy brought on by lack of parent interest and funding. "I literally tear up when we have to close them," Dolan said when describing the increasing number of Catholic schools in New York City that are being shut down amid a funding and enrollment crisis. "And we just had to go through some of that again. And it literally breaks our hearts." Dolan said that Catholic schools thrive when they focus on "quality, character-based, first-class education and passing on the faith." POPE BLASTS TRUMP ADMIN OVER MASS DEPORTATION PLAN, DIRECTS IRE AT VANCE'S RELIGIOUS DEFENSE FOR POLICIES"Both of those are essential," he said. Dolan emphasized that even the subsidized price of education at a Catholic school is worth the sacrifice for parents if they believe that their children are receiving an "unapologetically Catholic" education that focuses on relaying the faith to a new generation. "Those are the schools that are thriving," he said. Cardinal Dolan also related concerns from pastors in New York City who lead struggling Catholic schools and ask themselves if their school is properly '"stressing the Commandments, the Bible, prayer, fidelity, the Sacraments?' If not, why do we have them?" "We got schools elsewhere that are jam-packed," Dolan said. "We got schools that are thriving. And that's what hurts us, I think. It hurts me. I love talking about our Catholic schools. I love them. I'm passionate about them. They're still strong and the future's looking bright for a number of reasons." Archbishop Dolan has argued with Vice President JD Vance over illegal immigration. Vance criticized the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for allowing illegal immigrants in order to gain funding from the federal government in an interview with Face the Nation on Jan. 26, a claim that Dolan has rejected as being "nasty." "I think that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops needs to actually look in the mirror a little bit and recognize that when they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns or are they actually worried about their bottom line?" Vance said. "You think we make money caring for the immigrants?" Dolan said in a later interview on "The Catholic Channel." "We're losing it hand over fist," Dolan said.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Commandments bill continues the effort to convert schools into churches
State Sen. John Carley, R-Piedmont, listens to a speaker during a meeting of the South Dakota Legislature's Joint Committee on Appropriations on Jan. 21, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Churches that can afford the expense and have the ecumenical will can open their own schools. If some people have their way, soon public schools in South Dakota will have a stark resemblance to churches. During this legislative session, lawmakers will consider Senate Bill 51, an act that will require the display in public school classrooms of the Ten Commandments as well as its inclusion in the school's curriculum. The bill has made some headway, squeaking through the Senate Education Committee on a 4-3 vote. It's on Monday's Senate agenda. The bill's main sponsor is Sen. John Carley, a Piedmont Republican. Carley lists the commandments in his bill, adding that schools may use a similar wording. It's odd, in the dry language of legislation, to read Carley's version of the Commandments that goes full Old Testament, using 'shalt,' 'thou' and 'thee.' According to Carley's bill, the Commandments must be displayed in a readable font on a document that's least 8 inches by 14 inches. Adjacent to the display there must be posted an explanation of the historic significance of the Ten Commandments in education, from its inclusion in the New England Primer to the McGuffey Reader to textbooks published by Noah Webster. Bill requiring SD public schools to display and teach Ten Commandments passes committee Not satisfied with creating a religious display in public schools, Carley's bill goes on to enumerate how it will fit into the school curriculum. His bill amends a law calling for schools to give 'regular course instruction in the Constitutions of the United States and South Dakota.' That law called for instruction 'at the opening of the eighth grade and shall continue in the high school to the extent determined by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards.' If Carley's bill becomes law, that board can take the day off. His bill requires study of the governments of the United States and South Dakota as well as the U.S. Constitution, the South Dakota Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Also included in that study are the Ten Commandments 'as a historical and legal document,' whatever that means. (If the Ten Commandments is a legal document, all of us are in trouble.) Carley's bill goes on to mess with South Dakota's years-long attempt to figure out its civics curriculum. SB 51 calls on the state Department of Education to have ready materials to support instruction in these areas once between first and fourth grade, once between fifth and eighth grade and once between ninth and 12th grade. It will be interesting to see what sort of take first-graders have on the ramifications of the Bill of Rights. Those essays can be displayed right next to their finger paintings of George Washington crossing the Delaware. This isn't the first time that the Legislature has mandated displays in schools. A 2019 bill required schools to display the phrase 'In God We Trust' in a high traffic area. It cost the Rapid City School District about $2,800 to stencil the motto in the common areas of its schools. Carley's bill will be a heavier financial lift for schools as it requires a display in every classroom, along with an acknowledgement of the Ten Commandments' historic place in education. The bill specifies that schools may accept donated displays that meet the requirements of the law. What it doesn't do is provide any funding for the creation of those displays. Pardon school districts for not seeing the legislation as an attempt to put a spotlight on the historic significance of the Ten Commandments but rather for what it is, an unfunded mandate. Waiting in the wings for the 2026 election is an initiated measure calling for students and teachers in public schools to recite a generic prayer at the start of each school day. If all this comes to pass, imagine what public schools will be like in 2027. In God We Trust displayed in the cafeteria, the Ten Commandments and its background in education on each classroom wall and everyone standing to recite a generic prayer. The next time the school orders desks, perhaps they should have built-in kneelers. We ask enough of our public schools without requiring them to force-feed religion to students. It would be best if the Legislature adopted its own Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt nurture religion in the home and the church and thou shalt not inflict thy beliefs on the public schools. Amen. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
