Saturday, March 12, 2011
New Ten Commandments
What would you put into the Ten Commandments if you could re-write them?
More than once, in reference to the Ten Commandments' supposed perfection, I've been asked. "Do you think you could you do any better?". Well, I have to say, I've never been impressed with them and yes, I think almost everybody could do better. I'll give you mine, then if you're willing, I'd love to hear your own if you want to take the time.
OK, here’s my attempt:
1. Treat your fellow human beings and all living things with love, honesty, and respect.
2. In all things, strive for dignity of others, protecting and caring for the weak and
vulnerable.
3. Make decisions based on reason and facts, rather than superstition and hope.
4. No human may be regarded as private or public property.
5. Look after the health of your own mind and body.
6. Oppose injustice of any sort.
7. Never stop trying to learn.
8. Don’t do unto others what you wouldn’t have them do to you.
9. Balance personal rights with social duties.
10. Practice tolerance and open-mindedness towards the choices and life styles of others.
Now, compare these to the Ten Commandments found in the Old Testament. The first three commandments simply deal with how to properly fawn to god. No morality to be found there. The fourth is a ritualistic commandment, again, no morality involved.
The fifth through ninth commandments deal with morality by and large, but are really fairly obvious. Stealing, killing, and lying are pretty obviously not good for a society. Even many “lesser” animals and birds (especially those who live in packs or groups) react in a negative way to this kind of behavior. Plus, I have to wonder how many people have decided not to commit murder because it says “though shalt not kill” in the Bible. Honoring you parents is good general advice, unless your dad is Hitler or something. Not an impressive showing.
Finally, we round off the ten with not coveting other’s things. This seems like a pretty odd thing to end with. Couldn’t think of anything better?
No room for anything about slavery, no room for anything about racism, nothing about tolerance, nothing about dignity, nothing much there at all. I’m very happy we don’t actually use the Ten Commandments as a base for our morality.
Now, like I said, give is a try! Let’s see what you’d come up with.
Of course, the Jains managed to beat the Ten Commandments in one sentence. "Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being." Not bad!
More than once, in reference to the Ten Commandments' supposed perfection, I've been asked. "Do you think you could you do any better?". Well, I have to say, I've never been impressed with them and yes, I think almost everybody could do better. I'll give you mine, then if you're willing, I'd love to hear your own if you want to take the time.
OK, here’s my attempt:
1. Treat your fellow human beings and all living things with love, honesty, and respect.
2. In all things, strive for dignity of others, protecting and caring for the weak and
vulnerable.
3. Make decisions based on reason and facts, rather than superstition and hope.
4. No human may be regarded as private or public property.
5. Look after the health of your own mind and body.
6. Oppose injustice of any sort.
7. Never stop trying to learn.
8. Don’t do unto others what you wouldn’t have them do to you.
9. Balance personal rights with social duties.
10. Practice tolerance and open-mindedness towards the choices and life styles of others.
Now, compare these to the Ten Commandments found in the Old Testament. The first three commandments simply deal with how to properly fawn to god. No morality to be found there. The fourth is a ritualistic commandment, again, no morality involved.
The fifth through ninth commandments deal with morality by and large, but are really fairly obvious. Stealing, killing, and lying are pretty obviously not good for a society. Even many “lesser” animals and birds (especially those who live in packs or groups) react in a negative way to this kind of behavior. Plus, I have to wonder how many people have decided not to commit murder because it says “though shalt not kill” in the Bible. Honoring you parents is good general advice, unless your dad is Hitler or something. Not an impressive showing.
Finally, we round off the ten with not coveting other’s things. This seems like a pretty odd thing to end with. Couldn’t think of anything better?
No room for anything about slavery, no room for anything about racism, nothing about tolerance, nothing about dignity, nothing much there at all. I’m very happy we don’t actually use the Ten Commandments as a base for our morality.
Now, like I said, give is a try! Let’s see what you’d come up with.
Of course, the Jains managed to beat the Ten Commandments in one sentence. "Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being." Not bad!
