If we place words from the Bible on capital grounds, why use the Ten Commandments that appear only in the early chapters of human spiritual development? Why not use the words of Jesus and others from the New Testament, words that challenge me to confront my fears, to step outside all tribal boundaries, and to become more human than I now am? Here are some suggestions from the Sermon on the Mount:
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matt 5:44).”
“Do not resist the evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matt. 5:39).”
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you (Matt. 5:42).”
Luke (-Acts) describes how the earliest Christians organized their community:
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need (Acts 4).”
If we strive to follow these commands from Jesus, the Ten Commandments are fulfilled. Further, the legislators would reflect on these now highly visible words, as they shape our community called Oklahoma. These words challenge.
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Kerry Lauerman
Joan Walsh
Salon.com
Comments
6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Of course then again the Second Commandments says;
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6)"
And aren't people worshiping the graven image of the Ten Commandments? Kind of a conflict there.
Finally aren't there any Churches in Oklahoma? I seem to remember lots of them. Can't they just plop down their graven image of the Ten Commandments or any other Bible scripture out front? But then again that would go against the "New Christian" attitude of picking a needless fight and "slapping the other cheek".
Amen, I couldn't agree more.