the Hyperion Chronicles
“Think Intergalactically, Act Interplanetarily”
#148 The 10 Suggestions
I’ve been asked by several people to weigh in on the controversy surrounding Alabama Judge Roy Moore, who has refused to remove a statue of the 10 Commandments in the State Courthouse, and has subsequently been suspended, and numerous lawsuits have been filed on both sides. Normally I avoid topics like this, because I’m loath to offend people, but ours is not to question why, but simply be, the Finger of God.
So, at the risk of ruffling feathers:
Pretty much everyone with a strong opinion about this needs to get over it.
For those saying it’s a violation of the Separation of Church and State: Whatever. The Constitution doesn’t mention Church and State. It advocates freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. The reasonable standard is whether the government is pushing a religion, and in this case that’s pretty tenuous. I mean, in court you swear to God to tell the truth (a violation of the 3rd Commandment, actually, but let that pass), and there are numerous other references to God throughout our government, from Congress beginning each day in prayer to our money, which has God right on it.
Are all of these things pushing religion down someone’s throat? No, because they are not advocating any one Faith, and are benign. It’s the same with this statue. No on is going to feel raped having to walk by a statue of the 10 Commandments. I mean, get real: this is a courthouse with paintings to Confederate War heroes. That’s a whole lot more offensive.
On the other side, if I hear one more sanctimonious prattle about “Taking God out of our schools, taking God out of our banks, taking God out of our Laundromats…” I’m going to go join the Magic Pygmy Rabbits. Society hasn’t crumbled, as some of you with permanent myopia like to think, and the problems that have become worse certainly aren’t a result of taking down a piece of paper with some “Thou Shall Nots” on it. The problems we face are real, and need real answers, not head-in-the-sand excuses of “going back to the way things were.”
And while I’m on the subject, choosing the 10 Commandments is particularly hypocritical. Do you realize that in addition to the aforementioned Swearing to God (which not only does the court participate in, but most people as well), virtually no Christian follows the 4th Commandment? The 4th Commandment says, “Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy.” The Sabbath is a very specific thing, going from Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday, and has very specific rules of what you can and can’t do. Do any of you follow that?
But wait!!! I can almost hear the angry replies forming. Let me guess: you’re going to tell me that because of Christ’s resurrection, Christians now celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday, or you might even be so enlightened to say it doesn’t matter what day you celebrate on, as long as you take time each week to praise God for all he’s done.
You might be right. I have no argument with someone’s faith, and am not attacking anyone on that front, so save your Sent-Letter-Folder space. What I am saying, though, is that you don’t get to pick and chose. You say it’s okay to figuratively interpret the 4th Commandment. What’s to stop other people from doing this?
I You shall have no other gods before Me [Except Britney Spears, ‘cause she’s really hot]
II You shall not make graven images [Except chocolate bunnies, because they are so cute]
III You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain [Except when you hit your finger with a hammer while trying to hang a painting, ‘cause that really hurts]
IV Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy [Except when you have front row tickets to Phantom of the Opera]
V Honor your Father and your Mother [Except when they are mean and ground you for no good reason]
VI You shall not commit murder [Except when someone steals your boyfriend]
VII You shall not commit adultery [Except when it’s twins]
VIII You shall not steal [Except when you see a running back in the 20th round you can pick up]
IX You shall not lie [Except about that woman, Miss Lewinsky]
X You shall not covet [Except when your neighbor gets a new plasma flat-screen Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound 88 inch TV]
Do you think I’m being blasphemous? Are you mad? Do you see the point? How is it wrong to take these obviously facetious liberties, when Christians take one with the 4th Commandment?
Well, it is different, and I understand that. My point, though, is that this subject is not the one to draw that line in the sand. It’s a symbol because people are making it a symbol, but in reality it means nothing. What’s far more important is the reason why people are going to that courthouse, and what happens to them after they leave. Families are shattered in that place, and that’s what people should be worried about rather than a dumb statue.
And that’s the way it is.
Hyperion
August 29, 2003
Credits
Editing and Encouragement and McGahee from Koz
Thanks to Deleea for pissing me off and getting my juices flowing
Thanks to all the people on both sides who prompted me to write about this. Sorry if I didn’t get it the way you had hoped
Motto Explanation
This is a take off of “Think Globally, Act Locally” (a common Environmental bumper sticker), that I saw on Futurama and thought was funny
@2003 the Hyperion Chronicles
“Think Intergalactically, Act Interplanetarily”
#148 The 10 Suggestions
I’ve been asked by several people to weigh in on the controversy surrounding Alabama Judge Roy Moore, who has refused to remove a statue of the 10 Commandments in the State Courthouse, and has subsequently been suspended, and numerous lawsuits have been filed on both sides. Normally I avoid topics like this, because I’m loath to offend people, but ours is not to question why, but simply be, the Finger of God.
So, at the risk of ruffling feathers:
Pretty much everyone with a strong opinion about this needs to get over it.
For those saying it’s a violation of the Separation of Church and State: Whatever. The Constitution doesn’t mention Church and State. It advocates freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. The reasonable standard is whether the government is pushing a religion, and in this case that’s pretty tenuous. I mean, in court you swear to God to tell the truth (a violation of the 3rd Commandment, actually, but let that pass), and there are numerous other references to God throughout our government, from Congress beginning each day in prayer to our money, which has God right on it.
Are all of these things pushing religion down someone’s throat? No, because they are not advocating any one Faith, and are benign. It’s the same with this statue. No on is going to feel raped having to walk by a statue of the 10 Commandments. I mean, get real: this is a courthouse with paintings to Confederate War heroes. That’s a whole lot more offensive.
On the other side, if I hear one more sanctimonious prattle about “Taking God out of our schools, taking God out of our banks, taking God out of our Laundromats…” I’m going to go join the Magic Pygmy Rabbits. Society hasn’t crumbled, as some of you with permanent myopia like to think, and the problems that have become worse certainly aren’t a result of taking down a piece of paper with some “Thou Shall Nots” on it. The problems we face are real, and need real answers, not head-in-the-sand excuses of “going back to the way things were.”
And while I’m on the subject, choosing the 10 Commandments is particularly hypocritical. Do you realize that in addition to the aforementioned Swearing to God (which not only does the court participate in, but most people as well), virtually no Christian follows the 4th Commandment? The 4th Commandment says, “Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy.” The Sabbath is a very specific thing, going from Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday, and has very specific rules of what you can and can’t do. Do any of you follow that?
But wait!!! I can almost hear the angry replies forming. Let me guess: you’re going to tell me that because of Christ’s resurrection, Christians now celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday, or you might even be so enlightened to say it doesn’t matter what day you celebrate on, as long as you take time each week to praise God for all he’s done.
You might be right. I have no argument with someone’s faith, and am not attacking anyone on that front, so save your Sent-Letter-Folder space. What I am saying, though, is that you don’t get to pick and chose. You say it’s okay to figuratively interpret the 4th Commandment. What’s to stop other people from doing this?
I You shall have no other gods before Me [Except Britney Spears, ‘cause she’s really hot]
II You shall not make graven images [Except chocolate bunnies, because they are so cute]
III You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain [Except when you hit your finger with a hammer while trying to hang a painting, ‘cause that really hurts]
IV Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy [Except when you have front row tickets to Phantom of the Opera]
V Honor your Father and your Mother [Except when they are mean and ground you for no good reason]
VI You shall not commit murder [Except when someone steals your boyfriend]
VII You shall not commit adultery [Except when it’s twins]
VIII You shall not steal [Except when you see a running back in the 20th round you can pick up]
IX You shall not lie [Except about that woman, Miss Lewinsky]
X You shall not covet [Except when your neighbor gets a new plasma flat-screen Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound 88 inch TV]
Do you think I’m being blasphemous? Are you mad? Do you see the point? How is it wrong to take these obviously facetious liberties, when Christians take one with the 4th Commandment?
Well, it is different, and I understand that. My point, though, is that this subject is not the one to draw that line in the sand. It’s a symbol because people are making it a symbol, but in reality it means nothing. What’s far more important is the reason why people are going to that courthouse, and what happens to them after they leave. Families are shattered in that place, and that’s what people should be worried about rather than a dumb statue.
And that’s the way it is.
Hyperion
August 29, 2003
Credits
Editing and Encouragement and McGahee from Koz
Thanks to Deleea for pissing me off and getting my juices flowing
Thanks to all the people on both sides who prompted me to write about this. Sorry if I didn’t get it the way you had hoped
Motto Explanation
This is a take off of “Think Globally, Act Locally” (a common Environmental bumper sticker), that I saw on Futurama and thought was funny
@2003 the Hyperion Chronicles
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