10 reasons to not post 'Big Ten' Commandments

*crash*
oy...
TEN! Ten commandments!

-- which includes the major world religions as well as the full range of smaller, esoteric ones -- everything from mainstream Methodists to gay wiccan Buddhists -- and have that panel design a circular symbol that somehow includes all without offending any, and hang the damn thing over every courthouse on earth?

No one tradition would be favored, none excluded, and all would be represented. That circular symbol would be a very small reminder that folks should be equally considered inside a court of law.

And we wouldn't have any of this Judge Roy Moore bullshit.

They should be included to be fair.

Artists' renderings could find a symbol -- a visual representation of opposites. The yin-yang is just one simple example. Plays of shadow and light, and degrees of tones... I wouldn't underestimate the range and power of a visual image to include everybody.

I'm copying this entire piece for future use against proponents of public display. :)

that when governments use religion to reinforce thier power, the ideals of that religion end up getting corrupted and distorted. Think the Borgia Popes or the Saudi Government.

Not until they figure out what commandments 11-15 are!

You forgot two big reasons: 1) Almost immediately after God gave the Ten Commandments He ordered that they should be sealed in a box (the Arc of the Covenant.) I can't help but wonder what that was all about--was He protecting them from misuse/commercial abuse?

2) We Christians are called to a much tougher standard--the principles from the Sermon on the Mount and the Golden Rule. I would have far less trouble with the posting of the Beatitudes. Just think how our society would be transformed if we viewed on a regular basis: Blessed are the poor in spirit...Blessed are the peacemakers... What would happen to our criminal justice system if we took seriously the teaching about removing the logs that hinder our vision before attempting to remove the speck from our brother's eye?

it ought to be this one: "Love one another."

No. 5. Public displays of the Ten Commandments are a form of idolatry. Anytime we treat as ultimate something we have made with our own hands, we are worshipping idols. Even if the words on the monument are God's, the monument is ours. That's why one of those commandments warns against graven images.

...in the Deep South (Alabama, no less!) AND the Christian community (Baptists, no less!).

Great post - I'm proud Rev. Evans is right here in my little ol' hometown. Contrary to popular belief, we are not all following the Roy Moores and John Giles of the world into the abyss!

at understanding that fact. Some great Presidents and writers have come from the South. All Southerners are not bigots and religious zealots.

Those stereotypes divide us. And the repukes love to see us divided. They conquer amid all the confusion.

I don't like seeing my faith polarized any more than I like seeing my country polarized.

are not bigots and religious zealots."

No, but probably way more than half are, and zealots and bigots vote in higher proportions than normal people.

Thus, the GOP's Solid South.

However, I live in a red area.

I wonder how high the proportion of bigots and zealots is in my county?

While it is true that some people cannot be reasoned with, we better start reaching out to those who might listen.

I've lived in SC, TX, PA, and now Ga. I found in each state, the Reddest part was always the rural areas. They don't like intrusion, strangers, or anything different from what they've always known and believed.

Think about it. The consesrvative part of NY is upstate, the city has been dark blue forever! Pa. ois the same. Pgh and Phila are both blue, but the rural parts of the state aren't. The southern states are the same. The big difference is that the northern cities are much bigger in population and therefore carry the state!

A voice of sanity is what you are. May you go forth and multiply... among our DU brethren I mean. :thumbsup: