Good point, Frank. If the kindergarteners can't read yet - or count to ten - then the teacher will have to open each day by reading the Commandments outs loud, with maybe Moses as a guest speaker every now and then.
I'll almost certainly be in the minority here, but I think that if the good people of Louisiana want their kids to see the ten commandments every day, let them. No harm, no foul. And no, they don't constitute a state religion. The one complaint I've heard so far is that they introduce Christianity into the classroom. Based on my limited theology, they were delivered long before Jesus was a glint in God's/Mary's eye. About a thousand years before.
But if enacted, the ten thou-shall-not's are sure to speed up sex ed in Louisiana. I can hear Bobby in third grade asking Ms. Jones, "What does thou shall not cover thy neighbor's wife mean?"
"No Bobby, it's "covet."
"What does that mean?"
"It means your daddy can't want to kiss Susie's mommy."
You make a good point, George. There will certainly be some interesting discussions in kindergarten class.
But what happens if one of the kids - or more likely teachers - actually breaks one of the The Ten Commandments posted all over the school grounds? Public shaming? Loss of job? What's the point of having Commandments if there are no consequences?
I have no problem with the Ten Commandments being posted... so long as the 75 Good Manners from the Quran and the Five Precepts of Taoism (or Buddhism) are also allowed up there, too.
Then again, I would personally insist on including a transcript of George Carlin's "Why We Don't Need Ten Commandments" bit from 2001 right next to it. In fact, Bob, you might like that bit if you haven't already heard it: he takes the 10th to task in there as you did in this column ("This one is just plain stupid. Coveting your neighbor's goods is what keeps the economy going.")
Right, and the NT has pretty clear passages about distinguishing between civil and religious authority (the tribute coin with Caesar's mug on it), even while insisting on God's ultimate supremacy as the source of all legitimate authority.
Back in ancient times, in my public school, we said the Lord's Prayer at the start of every elementary school class. That guy in Louisiana must have flunked all his history classes when he was in school. Long, long, before Moses there were law makers in the Far East setting standards of behavior and morality that exist to this day.
I don't know, maybe. I think the mission of all public school, and higher learning too, should be to prepare all students for the next step on their path to an economic self-sufficient adult life. That mission has plenty of room for the humanities, but not with a goal to manufacture a moral "good citizen" except as secondary to the primary mission. The first mission is definitive, measurable and likely not to result in too much social conflict. It is also the most moral in that education returns real tangible value to individual. Unfortunately, power-seeking forces have exploited the education system to manipulate the moral view of young people... to create their version of "good citizens" and that version is at significant odds with the other half or more of the country. I think that other half or more is pushing actions like posting the Ten Commandments as a "good citizen" counter... but it is just another perspective ripe for conflict.
Core morality should come from the home, family and maybe the community. Church is a fine place to teach morality if the family supports it. However, the academic industry should get out of that business... except for what supports the primary mission developing student economic health.
The biggest problem with having the Ten Commandments specifically in public schools has nothing to do with something being wrong with the Ten Commandments. They're fine. It's just that many people who are state-mandated to attend public schools don't share those religious views or maybe don't have any religious views at all. There are millions of ways for the Governor of Louisiana and state legislators in Louisiana to promote their religious views. This is a political statement, not a religious one.
Valerie - Thanks so much. As God knows, I don't know the Bible well, but when I came across the words of Jesus Himself, it's hard to argue with anything He says
Thanks, Bob. This is so perfectly written -- and is a wonderful example why I subscribe to The Wary One. Keep up the great writing and commentary.
You are so kind, Yvonne. You brought a lot of wisdom to my beloved hometown.
Great article. I think they need to amend the law so that it is mandatory that each kid will be taught to read so that they can read them.
Good point, Frank. If the kindergarteners can't read yet - or count to ten - then the teacher will have to open each day by reading the Commandments outs loud, with maybe Moses as a guest speaker every now and then.
I'll almost certainly be in the minority here, but I think that if the good people of Louisiana want their kids to see the ten commandments every day, let them. No harm, no foul. And no, they don't constitute a state religion. The one complaint I've heard so far is that they introduce Christianity into the classroom. Based on my limited theology, they were delivered long before Jesus was a glint in God's/Mary's eye. About a thousand years before.
But if enacted, the ten thou-shall-not's are sure to speed up sex ed in Louisiana. I can hear Bobby in third grade asking Ms. Jones, "What does thou shall not cover thy neighbor's wife mean?"
"No Bobby, it's "covet."
"What does that mean?"
"It means your daddy can't want to kiss Susie's mommy."
etc. This could be fun.
You make a good point, George. There will certainly be some interesting discussions in kindergarten class.
But what happens if one of the kids - or more likely teachers - actually breaks one of the The Ten Commandments posted all over the school grounds? Public shaming? Loss of job? What's the point of having Commandments if there are no consequences?
I have no problem with the Ten Commandments being posted... so long as the 75 Good Manners from the Quran and the Five Precepts of Taoism (or Buddhism) are also allowed up there, too.
Then again, I would personally insist on including a transcript of George Carlin's "Why We Don't Need Ten Commandments" bit from 2001 right next to it. In fact, Bob, you might like that bit if you haven't already heard it: he takes the 10th to task in there as you did in this column ("This one is just plain stupid. Coveting your neighbor's goods is what keeps the economy going.")
Carlin was a genius, showing us so many ironies in life.
Right, and the NT has pretty clear passages about distinguishing between civil and religious authority (the tribute coin with Caesar's mug on it), even while insisting on God's ultimate supremacy as the source of all legitimate authority.
You got that right, Julian. This is a political stunt, that if you oppose it, they'll accuse you of being anti-God or some such crazy thing.
Well said. Thank you for your wisdom and clarity. Amen!
Amen to you, Judy. And many thanks.
Back in ancient times, in my public school, we said the Lord's Prayer at the start of every elementary school class. That guy in Louisiana must have flunked all his history classes when he was in school. Long, long, before Moses there were law makers in the Far East setting standards of behavior and morality that exist to this day.
Good points, Phil.
Must be a reason why Louisiana still has parishes instead of counties.
Vintage Bob Dunning. To which I say Amen.
You are so kind, Arnie.
Please tell us about Arnie's Substack.
I don't know, maybe. I think the mission of all public school, and higher learning too, should be to prepare all students for the next step on their path to an economic self-sufficient adult life. That mission has plenty of room for the humanities, but not with a goal to manufacture a moral "good citizen" except as secondary to the primary mission. The first mission is definitive, measurable and likely not to result in too much social conflict. It is also the most moral in that education returns real tangible value to individual. Unfortunately, power-seeking forces have exploited the education system to manipulate the moral view of young people... to create their version of "good citizens" and that version is at significant odds with the other half or more of the country. I think that other half or more is pushing actions like posting the Ten Commandments as a "good citizen" counter... but it is just another perspective ripe for conflict.
Core morality should come from the home, family and maybe the community. Church is a fine place to teach morality if the family supports it. However, the academic industry should get out of that business... except for what supports the primary mission developing student economic health.
In my opinion of course.
The biggest problem with having the Ten Commandments specifically in public schools has nothing to do with something being wrong with the Ten Commandments. They're fine. It's just that many people who are state-mandated to attend public schools don't share those religious views or maybe don't have any religious views at all. There are millions of ways for the Governor of Louisiana and state legislators in Louisiana to promote their religious views. This is a political statement, not a religious one.
You hit that one on the nose Bob. Thank you for taking up this topic.
It was a very large nose, Cynthia.
Thank you.
Love it! Well said! I like your approach on this. You know your bible; you are well positioned to reflect and comment on this issue.
Valerie - Thanks so much. As God knows, I don't know the Bible well, but when I came across the words of Jesus Himself, it's hard to argue with anything He says
Wonderfully said Bob!
Thanks, Helen. I do wish we had a lot more Matthew 25 in this world and a lot less Holier Than Thou