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I've been following with some interest the controversy over displaying the Ten Commandments in U.S. Government buildings. Personally I don't care if they're displayed, but I wonder how you'd decide which version to display - Catholic, Protestant, or Hebrew (which IIRC is shared by Islam)?
Since it appears to be chiefly the references to God that those opposed object to, I've come up with a version of the Ten Commandments that they might approve of. My apologies to anyone (other than the Lord) that I might have ripped off to produce this list:
The New Ten Commandments
1. I am the Federal Government of the United States. You will keep no loyalty to any other governments.
2. You will not pay taxes to any other government.
3. You will not curse the Federal Government.
4. You will work whenever you must, wherever you must, to pay your taxes to the Federal Government.
5. Obey your parents. If you'd disobey them, you'd disobey me. So obey your parents.
6. Don't steal. If you'd steal from your sibling or neighbor or the corner store, you'd steal from me. So no stealing.
7. Don't kill any other taxpayers. Tax evaders are fair game.
8. Sex with anyone you're not married to is generally discouraged, but if you produce a child out of wedlock, I'll help you support it. Just don't complain if I decide you're an unfit parent and take the child away.
9. Don't lie to anyone. If you'd lie to your neighbor or your spouse, you'd lie to me. So no lying.
10. Don't desire or be jealous of your neighbor's belongings. Go buy your own. Support the national economy.
I think I might be on to something.
Kevin
Since it appears to be chiefly the references to God that those opposed object to, I've come up with a version of the Ten Commandments that they might approve of. My apologies to anyone (other than the Lord) that I might have ripped off to produce this list:
The New Ten Commandments
1. I am the Federal Government of the United States. You will keep no loyalty to any other governments.
2. You will not pay taxes to any other government.
3. You will not curse the Federal Government.
4. You will work whenever you must, wherever you must, to pay your taxes to the Federal Government.
5. Obey your parents. If you'd disobey them, you'd disobey me. So obey your parents.
6. Don't steal. If you'd steal from your sibling or neighbor or the corner store, you'd steal from me. So no stealing.
7. Don't kill any other taxpayers. Tax evaders are fair game.
8. Sex with anyone you're not married to is generally discouraged, but if you produce a child out of wedlock, I'll help you support it. Just don't complain if I decide you're an unfit parent and take the child away.
9. Don't lie to anyone. If you'd lie to your neighbor or your spouse, you'd lie to me. So no lying.
10. Don't desire or be jealous of your neighbor's belongings. Go buy your own. Support the national economy.
I think I might be on to something.
Kevin
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