Subscription Lists
Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Well - sort of. The highest court in the land took its turn grappling with one of the more politically charged issues facing our country and resoundingly voted in favor of neutrality. By deciding that the Ten Commandments could be displayed in government buildings and on public grounds - as long as they weren't featured but part of an example of other pertinent, secular documents illustrating our country's early religious and political influences – they left it up to the individual states to decide on a case by case basis what to do. Many believe this to be the best course of action anyway. Yet leaving this question open to interpretation and individual policy-making will certainly foster more heated debate, charges of misuse of power and further court challenges.
What this boils down to - once again – is the practice of religion and the acknowledgement of this nation's Christian roots as well as its continuing influence. I don't want the government telling me how or who to worship any more than anyone else does. I believe it would be a mistake to allow any governing authority to decide what church best suits the greater good and mandate its practice. However, this issue concerns the 'free exercise thereof' as much as limiting government sanctioning of a particular religion.
I realize the number of denominations is greater in our country now than at any other time in our history and that different "religions" are more prevalent as a result of immigration of new people and ideas. Being a Christian, I wish we could convert them all to what I believe to be the true faith as well as convincing them of the benefits of democracy. (Not out of a sense of conquest but from a legitimate concern for their souls.) But I can live with the fact that that won't happen even under the best of circumstances. However, these ideas and faiths did not widely exist at our country's founding nor did they contribute significantly to its continuing development into a world power. Is it really necessary to ignore the legitimate and lasting contributions Christianity has bestowed on our nation in an attempt to be inclusive and not offend non-Christians?
Beyond that is the issue of disguising the Ten commandments (as well as the rest of God's word revealed in Christ) as if they were just one more piece of the secular political framework our founding fathers used to express the ultimate ideals of freedom and democracy. That's particularly hard to do when you believe its influence is derived from its authority, its authority emanating from it's source, it's source being God Almighty. ("And God spoke all these words." Exodus 20:1)
In the shadows of this judicial battle lie the questions that must be answered before any reasonable solution can be arrived at. Was our nation founded on principles of Christianity? Are our laws based on the fundamental principles found in its moral code? Was that intentional? Did many other nations follow our lead in creating their own governmental and judicial systems? Does that matter anymore? The Rev. Rob Schenck, founder of the Ten Commandments Project in Washington, D.C., used the Indianapolis Star's opinion page to respond to these issues. He believes our country's moral and judicial laws are indeed rooted in the precepts of the Ten Commandments and supports that belief with the following.
"It could be argued that the Ten Commandments should be publicly displayed for no other reason than that these precepts informed our founders. Our system of law is based on English Common Law, which had its moral foundation in the Ten Commandments. But there are other reasons for theses timeless words to be publicly recognized by Americans.
The Commandments are a constant reminder of a higher moral authority than us. We are not the ultimate arbiters of right and wrong. The image of Moses in the Capitol is a statement that the laws of God are higher than the laws of man. Not all governments agree. In many countries, murder serves a state purpose. Not so here; we believe moral absolutes control governments as much as individuals. We can't change the commandment against murder because we didn't make it in the first place. So it is with all the commandments and the laws they effect.
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens says the commandments can't be displayed publicly because they reference God. Yet the Declaration of Independence refers to 'Nature's God." Our president swears in his oath of office 'so help me God.' Congress begins its day with a prayer to God. The Supreme Court itself announces every sitting with 'God save the United States and this honorable court.'
Contrary to what some critics claim, this public acknowledgement of God transcends religious sectarianism and unites us, rather than divides us. Our national motto, carried on our money is 'In God We Trust.' We pledge allegiance to 'one nation under God.' The Ten Commandments simply explain what God requires of us. Jews, Christians and Muslims equally revere the Commandments and nearly every other religious and secular group considers them beneficial for society.
The founders knew liberty could be afforded only to a people restrained internally by a moral governor. No matter how many laws we have against murder, how many police we have to catch culprits, how many courts we have to prosecute and punish them and how many prisons we have to lock them up, only a conscience informed by a law greater than a human law can stop a murder before it happens. Displaying the Ten Commandments on public property is an admission by all of this truth."
This is not an attempt to turn back the clock to the good old days; they had their own problems. Nor will the public display of God's word automatically solve all the difficulties we face today. Rather it is an attempt to revert back to the ideals, moral code and principles that revolutionized not just this country but the thinking of many others as well. Neither is this an attempt to resist progress and change, as some have charged. It is, however, an attempt to guide progress and change in all aspects of life in such a way as to ensure the changes that do occur are indeed progress and beneficial for all.
"Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day,… They are not just idle words for you – they are your life." - Deuteronomy 32:46,47
Rate it:
Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Point of Reference" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.