<\/p>\n
ABC’s Nightline has been running a series on the Ten The series is interesting and, in many ways, inclusive.\u00a0 <\/span>After all, the Ten Commandments form But for all their inclusiveness, their interpretation is “Thou shalt not commit adultery” is a good example of the The problem comes with the obvious fact that human Throughout history, religious groups have tried to enforce To point up the problem with adultery is only the The answer is obvious:\u00a0 Taking the Commandments out of context is spiritually and That is the summary–the intended wisdom–of the Ten <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ABC’s Nightline has been running a series on the Ten Commandments in which they explore the issues and dimensions of each commandment in contemporary society.\u00a0\u00a0 Tonight’s commandment:\u00a0 Thou shalt not commit adultery. The series is interesting and, in many ways, inclusive.\u00a0 After all, the Ten Commandments form the ethical basis of the world’s three great…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,15,2,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christians","category-jews","category-muslims","category-religion-in-the-public-square"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nCommandments in which they explore the issues and dimensions of each
\ncommandment in contemporary society.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Tonight’s commandment:\u00a0 <\/span>Thou shalt not commit adultery.<\/p>\n
\nthe ethical basis of the world’s three great monotheistic religions.\u00a0 <\/span>Jews, Christians, and Muslims draw
\ninspiration from them and, throughout history, developed the insights of the
\ncommandments in theological, moral, social, and legal arenas.\u00a0 <\/span>They are very important spiritually,
\nmorally, intellectually, and culturally. <\/p>\n
\noften the source of division.\u00a0 <\/span>It
\nis one thing to say, “Thou shalt not….” and it is often a completely different
\nthing to figure out how the “shalt nots” relate to human experience.\u00a0 <\/span>For, despite the moral idealism of the
\ncommandments, everyone knows that human beings actually do the “shalt nots.”<\/p>\n
\nproblem with the commandments.\u00a0
\n<\/span>Martial fidelity is a practical way of honoring and respecting one’s
\npartner.\u00a0 <\/span>To be faithful–even when
\none might not “feel” like it–is a fundamental way of respecting another human
\nbeing by taking into their feelings, emotions, and commitments before simply
\nacting on one’s personal inclinations.\u00a0
\n<\/span>To stop and think about the effects of one’s actions on a larger
\ncommunity (in the case of adultery, thinking about a spouse and children) often
\ninhibits bad choices.\u00a0 <\/span>That’s a big
\npart of morality–to reflect on one’s actions in advance and to consider the
\ncommunal consequences of behavior.\u00a0
\n<\/span>Moral frameworks–like the Ten Commandments–provide guidelines for such
\nreflection.\u00a0 <\/span>And, as such, they
\nform a vision for what constitutes the good society–a society that honors God
\nand neighbor.<\/p>\n
\nbeings–even reflective and caring ones–don’t always act in a way that honors
\nGod and neighbor.\u00a0\u00a0We<\/span>\u00a0both
\nflaunt and break the commandments on a regular basis.\u00a0 <\/span>So, what does society do with the violators?<\/p>\n
\nthe Ten Commandments through legal means.\u00a0
\n<\/span>We might all agree that theft and murder are wrong and that thieves and
\nmurderers should go to prison.\u00a0 <\/span>But
\nwhat about the “lesser” commandments–like adultery?\u00a0 <\/span>In Jesus’ day, women caught in adultery could be stoned–and
\nthat is still the case in many countries around the world.\u00a0 <\/span>In early American history, adulterers
\ncould be whipped, jailed, divorced with their permission, or forced (as in The Scarlet Letter<\/i>) to wear a public
\nmark of shame.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n
\nbeginning.\u00a0 <\/span>What of those who
\nswear, lie, or worship other gods?\u00a0
\n<\/span>Should society make swearing a crime?\u00a0 <\/span>Idolatry?\u00a0\u00a0Being angry at your parents? \u00a0<\/span>Where
\ndoes this end?\u00a0 <\/span>In some sort of
\nTaliban-style legalism where the religion police enforce a literal
\ninterpretation of each of these Ten Commandments?\u00a0 <\/span>Do we rank the commandments in order of importance?\u00a0 <\/span>The bad ones get the most
\npunishment?\u00a0 <\/span>The minor ones get
\noverlooked?\u00a0 <\/span>The Ten
\nCommandments–for all their moral grandeur–quickly descend into an ethical
\nquagmire of angels dancing on the head of pins.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Very few people take the Ten Commandments literally.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>We contextualize them, trying to
\ndiscern the origin, intent, and purpose of these commandments in order to
\ncreate a way of life that demonstrates the deeper wisdom of these teachings.\u00a0 <\/span>And we recognize the human disposition
\ntoward breaking them–and, to a greater or lesser degree, we offer forgiveness,
\nunderstanding, and reconciliation toward one another in regard to the Ten
\nCommandments.\u00a0 <\/span>And religious
\ncommunities argue about how much forgiveness, understanding, and reconciliation
\nis appropriate in any given denomination or tradition.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n
\npolitically dangerous.\u00a0 <\/span>To hold up
\nthese ten commandments–in Hebrew they aren’t even called “commandments;”
\nrather, the Hebrew word is “terms”–to hold up these ten terms<\/i> of the moral law without reference to the larger intent of
\nthe words leads to legalism, violence, and repression.\u00a0 <\/span>God intended for the Law to be joyful,
\na pathway for a way of life of devotion and respect for one other, a blessing
\nand not a curse. Indeed, Jesus–a rabbi himself–made this point.\u00a0 <\/span>When asked what was the most important
\nof the commandments, he replied:\u00a0
\n<\/span>“Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.”\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n
\nCommandments. \u00a0<\/span>The ten terms of the
\nlaw should bring us to the basis for a good life:\u00a0 <\/span>love.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Is
\nit loving to murder, steal, curse, violate our vows, lie, envy or demean
\nanother?\u00a0 <\/span>That should be the first
\nquestion of morality–and it is what the Ten Commandments teach.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n