The Ten Commandments politics

Fr Sean Major-Campbell

THE TEN Commandments have been politicised in recent years, with politicians employing the appeal to religious sentiments: often without any interest in the deeper significance of the text. In fact, many Christians blindly support any bill that would keep public display of the Ten Commandments in various public spaces.

The State of Louisiana has now seen a bill signed into law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in the classrooms of public schools and colleges. Of course, some Christians get all excited about this, believing it will make for a more holy set of people. The bill rightly observes that these commandments are “foundational documents of our state and national government”.

Republican Governor Jeff Landry has indeed brought joy to those who may not yet realise that a Christian understanding and presentation of the Ten Commandments have long evolved beyond the original letter of the law approach, foundational though they may be. It is therefore not sufficient to just celebrate their being foundational or Judeo-Christian. For the Christian, our approach must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.

The catechism or instruction of Christian tradition moves beyond the original presentation of the Ten Commandments. That is why, in the Catechism of the Anglican Church, one would only see the words, “Thou shall not covet” instead of the fuller version of Exodus 20:17: “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.” Many well-meaning and enthusiastic Christians still do not realise that it is out of sync with Christian teaching to treat one’s wife as just another possession.

The original form of the Ten Commandments does not mean exactly what Christian interpretation intends. Attorney General Liz Murrill in Baton Rouge missed the point when she stated in a social media post that “The Ten Commandments are pretty simple (don’t kill, steal, cheat on your wife), but they also are important to our country’s foundation.” She means well. However, her thoughts as expressed show how many Christians are not aware of the original context of the text.

In Moses’ day, there really was no such thing as a man “cheating on his wife”. Adultery was not even as we understand it today. If the woman was not the possession of another man, then it was not a big deal. In fact, when a woman was raped, the violation was not against the woman, but against the man. It is the man’s property that was violated. Got it? After all, the woman was just another item of possession.

The other statehouses, also considering a display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, apparently agree with head of Archbishop Shaw High School, the Rev Steve Ryan, who says, “These laws which are part of the Judeo-Christian tradition are good safeguards for society, they are actually reasonable.”

A literal interpretation of the Ten Commandments would mean that it is a sin for any of these schools and colleges to display a carved image of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Saint Joseph or Jesus, and so on. A more evolved approach understands that the problem idol is not a carving. The idol of concern for the Christian is anything that gets between the believer and God. Some idols in society today may include doctrine, pastor, church, and anything else that takes the place of true worship.

It is funny but also sad that many Christians do not get that the Beatitudes are an enlightened presentation that moves the approach from a law-centred one to a grace-centred way of being. As Matthew 5 presents Jesus as the new Moses, Jesus is even pictured as going upon a mountain (of course there was no mountain). This has biblical resonance, as the reader’s mind should recall the story of Moses when he returned from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments. The difference, though, is Jesus’ beautiful affirmation of what brings happiness and character building rather than a depiction of a jealous god who is waiting to punish and “visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me …”

Christians must beware what exactly they are supporting when a call is made for The Ten Commandments to be displayed by law in public spaces where people of other religious faiths, or no faith at all, are imposed upon in the name of the so-called “foundational”. A more universal approach to order and good governance for all is a human rights approach that protects everyone, regardless of religion or no religion.

The United States of America is the strong nation it is today because of its immigrant population over the years! Said nation is made up of people from all walks of life and creeds. Which creed should any government give ascendancy in the public space, and why? Should public law ever do this with any religious teaching?

In a world where xenophobia, misogyny, homophobia, racism, and white supremacy are cards played by negative political elements, should Christians support the use of the Bible and any other religious symbol being placed by law as permanent fixtures in public spaces? The greatest threat to Christ’s light and love is Christians who fail to be salt and light in the world!

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human dignity and human rights. Send feedback to seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.