Congressman Wants Citizens of ALL Religions to Reflect on the Ten Commandments

[Joanne98]

Well, spring is in the air, and that can mean only one thing. It's time for a member of Congress to introduce a resolution proclaiming the first weekend of May "Ten Commandments Weekend." This time, the resolution comes from Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA).


These kinds of resolutions almost always contain a dose of Christian nationalist American history revisionism, and Broun's resolution, H. Res. 1175, is no different. In fact, just like Sen. Sam Brownback in his 2008 Ten Commandments Weekend resolution, Broun includes a quote from John Quincy Adams in one of his "Whereas" clauses.

"Whereas the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, declared the Ten Commandments to be 'laws essential to the existence of men in society, and most of which have been enacted by every nation, which ever professed any code of laws'"

And, just like Brownback did in his resolution, Broun omits the part of the quote in which Adams made it clear that many of the laws of the Old Testament were "adapted to that time only" and binding only on the ancient Jews. Here's what Adams actually wrote, in a letter to his son:

"The law given from Sinai was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code; it contained many statutes adapted to that time only, and to the particular circumstances of the nation to whom it was given; they could of course be binding upon them, and only upon them, until abrogated by the same authority which enacted them, as they afterward were by the Christian dispensation; but many others were of universal application -- laws essential to the existence of men in society, and most of which have been enacted by every nation, which ever professed any code of laws."


(I think It might be relevant to note here that John Quincy Adams, although personally quite religious, took his presidential oath of office on a law book containing the Constitution rather than a Bible, because he was swearing that as president he would uphold the Constitution, not the Bible.)

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2010/3/19/182817/252/Front_Page/Congressman_Wants_Citizens_of_ALL_Religions_to_Reflect_on_the_Ten_Commandments

[MineralMan]

1. Just let me get my mirror...it'll only take a sec.

[Angry Dragon]

2. There is disagreement

on what the ten commandments actually are. It is my understanding that some major religions use different commandments.

[eShirl]

3. If only they'd stop bearing false witness against their neighbors.

[Joanne98]

6. Good point.

[undeterred]

9. and coveting their neighbors wives and asses

[awoke_in_2003]

15. I cannot help

but covet my neighbor's wife's ass :)

[kestrel91316]

4. Jews and Christians and Muslims can reflect on them all they want.

They have no right to force them on anyone else, any more than Hindus have the right to force the Upanishads or whatever on non-Hindus, lol.

[katsy]

5. Okay. Done reflecting.

And the 10 commands don't say "thy shall not slap your congress critter silly at every opportune moment."

Someone slap broun straight.

[Phlem]

7. What an arrogant ass.

These guys are just a waste of air.

Right, because every religion holds the 10 commandments as gospel.

Ignorant filth, F*ck do I hate right wing republicans.

Gotta go vomit now.

-p

[undeterred]

8. ok, but that conflicts with the running of the Kentucky Derby...

[LiberalFighter]

10. That would be a good idea. Instead of swearing on a bible it should be the Constitution.

Where did this swearing on the bible ever get started? Probably the damn Pope.

[undeterred]

11. But Jesus said not to take oaths

so it really makes no sense to do it as a religious leader either.

Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself , but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

[Fearless]

17. To be fair... I believe Washington's innauguration... n/t

[Zoeisright]

12. I was not a civil and moral code.

There are two different versions of the Ten Commandments in the Bible. It was mostly about not worshiping heathen 'gods'. And much of it is NOT relevant to today.

I don't know why these morons don't push the Beatitudes. That would have more impact. But that's all about peace and understanding. Which they hate.

[AsahinaKimi]

13. Tell you what... Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA).

We will read his ten Commandments when he reads the five buddhist Precepts:
1. Do not kill.
2. Do not steal.
3. Do not engage in sexual misconduct.
4. Do not lie.
5. Do not use intoxicants.

and

The Noble Eightfold Path: Including right speech, right effort and the right beliefs
Twelve Links of Dependent Arising: Including feeling, birth, aging, ignorance, as well as craving
Buddhists also follow the Ten Paramita, which includes wisdom, kindness, ethics and patience

and

Six is also an important number within Buddhism. You will see this when studying the Six Perfections, which are patience, concentration, effort, generosity, moral actions, as well as wisdom. There are also Six Realms of Existence. They are called: hell-beings, animals, humans, hungry ghosts, Gods, as well as anti-gods/demi-gods.

and

There are said to be Four Immeasurables within the Buddhist culture. They are also called the Sublime States. They are Equanimity (upekkha); Loving-kindness (metta); Compassion (karuna), as well as Sympathetic joy (mudita). Thorughout the religion, five seems to be an important number. There are Five Powers adhered to within Buddhism, which are mindfulness, wisdom, samadhi, energy/effort, as well as faith/confidence. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, samadhi refers to a deep state of meditation. There are also Five Hindrances within the religion, which are: sense craving, anger/ill will, sloth, restlessness/worry, as well as doubt (sometimes referred to as the inner critic).


Then He can also take a tour of other Religions which he seems to think does not belong in the United States.

[Phlem]

14. Beautiful AsahinaKimi

I'm bookmarking this just because of your reply. I've always wanted to learn more Buddhism.

-p

[Fearless]

16. What about those with no religion? Should we look at a tablet or consult morals??

:crazy:

[Phlem]

18. prolly not a bad idea since they've

documented that morality existed way before religion. That's what I do, and 9 out of 10 times I make better choices than religious zealots towards my brothers and sisters.
I have no religion yet am compelled to believe something in the universe hears my prayers cause to many have been answered to be coincidence, to the point of freaky.

-p

[LeftishBrit]

19. You mean these ones?

Thou shalt have one God only; who
Would be at the expense of two?

No graven images may be
Worshipped except the currency.

Swear not at all, as for thy curse
Thine enemy is none the worse.

At church on Sunday to attend
Will serve to keep the world thy friend.

Honour thy parents; that is, all
From whom advancement may befall.

Thou shalt not kill; but needst not strive
Officiously to keep alive.

Do not adultery commit;
Advantage rarely comes of it.

Thou shalt not steal; an empty feat,
When it's so lucrative to cheat.

Bear not false witness; let the lie
Have time on its own wings to fly.

Thou shalt not covet; but tradition
Approves all forms of competition.



(This is Arthur Hugh Clough's mid-19th century 'Latest Decalogue' - just as relevant to right-wingers today.)