The Ten Commandments
Would you believe that the headlines on the news are revolving around a separation of church and state issue? The media is laughingly predictable. Actually, this time the issue is about the public display of the Ten Commandments in government buildings, such as courthouses, etc. If the symbol is in fact promoting religion, then it does violate the separation of church and state clause, however if it is a representation of America's legal history then it is violating no such clause. Does anyone really think that it is a part of legal history? In some regards, I do, but in others, much of the foundation of this country was established by deists who believed in something, but not necessarily the ten commandments. Many were pragmatists.
I must admit, that I hold a place for the ten commandments in this country partially because they are a part of history, but partially because of my affinity for Christianity. I could not honestly say that I support the Ten Commandments in government buildings because it is a part of legal history. That would be more a way of justifying my beliefs to the general public using a loop-hole in the law to do so. Like many Americans, there is an apologetic sense for my orientation of living and as such a web of loop-holes to expose that keeps it mainstream.
Perhaps, sense America is making history, we could start putting symbols of the Buddha in public government spaces, or perhaps symbols of the Quran as well. Afterall, this is a mosaic nation where we celebrate a plurality of differences. Would having a statue of the Quran in government spaces violate the separation of Church and State seeing as how Islam does not worship in churches? Many Christian Americans would say 'yes,' 'of course.' But Islam has much to do with our natural history, and will continue to do so. And Buddhism is on the rise. Why not have statues of the ideal man in legal places? Would that bring us Christians a little too much out of our comfort zone. For Caucasian Christians, we are surely to be in the minor minority in the next fifty years, vastly outnumbered by others of a darker complexion. Does that bother Caucasion Christians? Perhaps some.
I must admit, that I hold a place for the ten commandments in this country partially because they are a part of history, but partially because of my affinity for Christianity. I could not honestly say that I support the Ten Commandments in government buildings because it is a part of legal history. That would be more a way of justifying my beliefs to the general public using a loop-hole in the law to do so. Like many Americans, there is an apologetic sense for my orientation of living and as such a web of loop-holes to expose that keeps it mainstream.
Perhaps, sense America is making history, we could start putting symbols of the Buddha in public government spaces, or perhaps symbols of the Quran as well. Afterall, this is a mosaic nation where we celebrate a plurality of differences. Would having a statue of the Quran in government spaces violate the separation of Church and State seeing as how Islam does not worship in churches? Many Christian Americans would say 'yes,' 'of course.' But Islam has much to do with our natural history, and will continue to do so. And Buddhism is on the rise. Why not have statues of the ideal man in legal places? Would that bring us Christians a little too much out of our comfort zone. For Caucasian Christians, we are surely to be in the minor minority in the next fifty years, vastly outnumbered by others of a darker complexion. Does that bother Caucasion Christians? Perhaps some.
posted by Timcom at 12:00 PM
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