In response to Ron Fink’s July 25 “What’s the fuss?” commentary about the Ten Commandments in public schools, I have a couple of points to make about the Constitution mandating a separation of church and state. He claims it was not to keep the church out of the state, but it was that, and to keep government/state out of the church. This protects both the church and the state from dictating only one way or the highway.
Every country in Europe back then had their own state religion, which caused many wars and pogroms, like the Spanish Inquisition, or the Holocaust, resulting in millions of deaths. We forget why we fought a war to get away from church dictates in England. Instead of the Ten Commandments, we decided to make laws that are basic rules to have a civil society, like Commandments Six through Ten. Don’t harm others being the general moral to live by. Simple.
I know this upsets those Christian nationalists who claim that America was founded as a Christian nation. They should read the Federalist Papers Nos. 51 and 52. As Jefferson wrote: “It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.” Madison wrote that the religion of each individual must be left to their own conviction and conscience. He also said that such a right is unalienable because each of us must be allowed to make up our own minds and should not follow a dictate of others.
Commandments One through Three are about requiring a belief in a leader to dictate morals. Commandment Four dictates setting aside time to meditate. Commandment Five dictates honoring thy father and mother. Well, what about abusive families? Again, “don’t hurt others” covers these!
Instead, let’s propose teaching ethics in classrooms. This would inevitably show how the world’s religions are similar in many ways. The greater good is discussed. And while we are at it, how about once again teaching civics. Our citizenry has become ignorant of how government operates. Remember the animation of “How A Bill Becomes Law,” “I’m Just a Bill” starting on the educational music television series Schoolhouse Rock March 27, 1976? Schools are there to educate, not dictate certain morals. Schools need to teach how to think, not what to think. This is opposite of a theocracy. This is a skill that needs to be part of the curriculum and has not been for decades.
As social media misinformation has become widespread, critical thinking has become more necessary than ever before.
Dan Dennis
Orcutt
