THOU SHALT

Like it or not, those tablets Moses hit his people over the head with have influenced societies world round for centuries. It seems to make no difference where or what point in time of existence those laws have relevance.  The commandments have significance not just to those who see it through the eye of religious beliefs, but in secular purpose as well.  It really makes no difference whether you think God gave those directions to Moses or if Moses is trying to herd a pack of Jewish cats out of his own reasoning.  Those rules helped Moses quell problems within that society. 

It’s pretty evident religion has come under social fire in the last few decades and blowback has created problems in our society. No matter your position regarding spirituality, those commandments make sense for society and human interaction.  To look at them solely through the prism of religion at the exclusion of secular value is to do our society a disservice.

There is a lot of discussion regarding the breakdown of values in the United States   For example, the lack of reverence and respect between the different age groups and the loss of family cohesion, just to name a few.  Like so many things we see under attack through the guise of political correctness, we have “thrown the baby out with the bath water”.  So many of the things that gave our society strength and unity have been rejected and discarded. We are now staring a form of anarchy straight in the eye.  Even though it has not grown to the giant it could become, the danger of loss of respect for life and increases in neighborhood crime show anarchy growing out of the toddler stage.  

It would be nice if we could at least use those commandments as a guide for overall personal interaction within our society.  We could almost consider them to be basic common sense for the good of man.

So you don’t want religion, or at least anyone else’s to have a say in your personal life.  Fine, I don’t necessarily want your religion, say Sharia law, messing with me either.  I would appreciate some kind of mutual agreement as to how you are going to behave towards me.  From a purely secular point of view, for the point of open discussion, let’s have a look at the last seven of the ten.  (Personally, I find the first three to be important guides as well.)

#4 Remember the Sabbath day:  seems to be just plain good advice.   We all need a chance to recharge our energy, to check our focus, revive both mentally and physically.  Give yourself a chance to reconnect with your family and friends; an opportunity to stay grounded.

#5 Honor thy father and thy mother:  not all of us are lucky enough to have the parental history and influence that would promote feelings of honor.  We need to examine our own lives to see if we are instilling that important opportunity in our children’s lives.  We need to be honest about our own weaknesses and failings in order to do better.  We also need to establish forgiveness for ourselves.  That goes for father and mother as well.  Non-forgiveness serves no good.  One other aspect dealing with #5 is in many cultures the old folks are given respect for wisdom gained over the course of their lives.  Seems like an idea to be emulated.

#6  Thou shalt not kill:  we all realize the importance of this rule, especially as it pertains to us personally.  We do need to look a little deeper into what that really means.  This rule originally includes such things as anger and hatred as well as the promotion of those attitudes that can lead to the actual act of murder and killing.  Rule #6 implies in its intent that we respect the lives and the right to life of all.  The one exclusionary aspect would be in the act of protecting your life or the life of others.

#7 Thou shalt not commit adultery:  again this seems to reek of common sense.  Adultery is as old as man himself and I suspect it will continue to be a factor of human existence.  The deterioration of trust in a relationship totally destroys the ability to face things together and to overcome the obstacles of life.  We are always better together than separate when in like purpose.

#8   Thou shalt not steal:  another common sense situation.  I don’t want you taking from me and I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual.  Theft is not good.  If you want something, earn it.  This can also lead to item #6 and that’s not good for anyone.

#9  Thou shalt not bear false witness:  trying to rely on any information in today’s world seems an exercise in futility.  I know very few who have not been hit by the stinky end of this stick.  I once had one of my own children use the defense “everyone lies”, sadly that seems the case.  Just doesn’t mean it’s a good thing or a way of life to be copied.  We should demand truth and honesty, not just from our inner circle but from those who affect our lives.  We should all bear in mind, one of the hardest persons to be honest with……..yourself.  Ideology and propaganda do not register well on the Pinocchio scale unless, of course, you consider a long nose attractive.

#10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, house or properties: common sense here again prevails.  It certainly doesn’t pertain to any of us personally because we would never do such a thing.  It does pertain to that other guy who lies, cheats and steals to obtain the power over others.  That other guy whose greed to have it all causes him to lie, cheat and steal.  Get the idea?

Help make our families, our society, our country, our world better for mankind.  That means the whole rainbow deserves a better place.

Pray for discernment.  Pray for our country.  Love your neighbor.    God Bless the USA