Remembering the Ten Commandments
Recently, the State of Louisiana implemented a law that requires every public classroom and school in their state to post the “Ten Commandments” in their buildings.
Upon first learning about the law, I dismissed it as ridiculous redneck religious righteousness run amok. However, a few weeks ago here in Buffalo, a 16 year-old and a 13 year-old boy shot into a crowd and killed an innocent 3 year-old child. It made me wonder what those boys were thinking? Had anyone ever explained to them that if they kill, they would burn in hell for eternity?
As a child, next to my father, the greatest deterrent from me doing wrong was learning about the Ten Commandments and sin in religious instruction classes.
I truly believed God had report cards on everybody and he knew everything we did wrong or right, ready to be examined at the Pearlie Gates. I still feel that way. I’m shooting for a short stay in purgatory.
I think we have lost a generation of people who have no connection with morality or the concept of sin or right and wrong. Children today aren’t taught the divine rules of life that are universal.
Perhaps posting the Ten Commandments could save lives. Someone might read: “thou shall not murder,” and understand that murder is a cardinal sin from which there is no redemption.
Someone might read: “thou shall not steal,” and abstain from stealing because it’s a sin against God. People steal in many different ways.
Someone might read: “Honor thy Mother and Father,” and understand honoring our parents is divine law and heal a relationship.
Someone may read: thou “shall not commit adultery,” and avoid sexual entanglements to avoid further disruption of the family.
Or one might read: “thou shall not covet” or be jealous of what others have. That might make people recognize their own jealousy and insecurity of keeping up with “the Jones’.
One might read: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” In this society, people and institutions take the Lord’s name in vain for monetary reasons on a daily basis.
Someone might read “not to make idols”. Society idolizes money, which as we all know is the root of all evil. Maybe Louisiana is on to something. It can’t hurt.