Thanks, John. As a Southerner, I feel like I have a bit clearer perspective on "cultural Christianity," where being white, well-educated, and typically leaning to the right side of the isle automatically means I'm a Christian. They're one and the same. The same people who assume this is true would also be the sort to long for the "good ole' days" when we had prayer in schools and the 10 Commandments publicly displayed. For quite a long time, I dismissed this as part of the background noise of my upbringing. However, one of my secular friends changed my perspective. This friend told me that he hopes that we return prayer in schools, etc. He's British, and he says that the state's "religious" schools have made religion all together irrelevant in England, because it's part of the state. In his mind, the quickest way to "secularize" America is to turn religion into a secular thing. I tend to think he's right. I also have been in education long enough to know that we tend to "formalize" everything in our public schools, and that causes me to fear what kind of prayers would be spoken, and I cringe to think about the way curricula would talk about the 10 Commandments. I am thankful for our religious liberty and deeply appreciate those who fight for it; however, any talk of putting prayer or the 10 Commandments into our public schools gives me profound concern.
On the other subject regarding public displays of the Commandments: As a Christian there are many things about these displays that require deeper thought among fellow believers. First, in all the monuments I’ve seen, virtually none include the opening “preamble” (Ex 20:1-2; Dt 5:6). Without that redemptive context, the commandments are reduced to moral code and might be construed as “doable” by any self-satisfied moralist. I believe the commandments bind all people, tongues and tribes through all generations. I also believe they indict the same, as no one obeys them whole heartedly. Therfore to display them publically (especially emblazened with a national flag) risks nurturing a heightened sense of self-righteousness among the religious. Speaking as a Christian to Christians, that would not advance the Gospel, but exhalt hubris. Furthermore the aim of the new covenant is to have the law written on our hearts (Jer 31:33; 2 Cor 3:3; Heb 8:10) not on stone (or plywood).
This is not to dismiss or discount the reality of living in a pluralist society and how displaying such monuments contend that reality. My concern is for fellow believers and their enthusiasm (misplaced, in my opinion) for such displays.
I watched a news report some years ago where a woman was sobbing over the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from a public space. As it was being carted off she screamed in anguish that the workers were breaking it. I hope she and I are as concerned with our own breaking of the actual commandments in daily thought, word and deed, as she was over the marring of that facimile.
I’m not unsympathetic toward those who lament society’s moral degradation and find comfort in common foundational principles. Nor do I believe anyone is exempt from God’s judgment simply because they deny his existence. But neither are people exempt from his judgment simply because they declare themselves law-keepers and display it on street corners and public squares.
Thanks, John. As a Southerner, I feel like I have a bit clearer perspective on "cultural Christianity," where being white, well-educated, and typically leaning to the right side of the isle automatically means I'm a Christian. They're one and the same. The same people who assume this is true would also be the sort to long for the "good ole' days" when we had prayer in schools and the 10 Commandments publicly displayed. For quite a long time, I dismissed this as part of the background noise of my upbringing. However, one of my secular friends changed my perspective. This friend told me that he hopes that we return prayer in schools, etc. He's British, and he says that the state's "religious" schools have made religion all together irrelevant in England, because it's part of the state. In his mind, the quickest way to "secularize" America is to turn religion into a secular thing. I tend to think he's right. I also have been in education long enough to know that we tend to "formalize" everything in our public schools, and that causes me to fear what kind of prayers would be spoken, and I cringe to think about the way curricula would talk about the 10 Commandments. I am thankful for our religious liberty and deeply appreciate those who fight for it; however, any talk of putting prayer or the 10 Commandments into our public schools gives me profound concern.
Thanks, John. This Texas news goes right along with the “ separation sentiment” so prevalent in that state.
Re the RFRA securities, they could go away. Consider how another SCOTUS might have ruled on Little Sisters of the Poor v Pennsylvania. The tone of this article strikes me as less than appreciative of RFRA, at least as it is interpreted by the current Court: https://harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-134/little-sisters-of-the-poor-saints-peter-and-paul-home-v-pennsylvania/
On the other subject regarding public displays of the Commandments: As a Christian there are many things about these displays that require deeper thought among fellow believers. First, in all the monuments I’ve seen, virtually none include the opening “preamble” (Ex 20:1-2; Dt 5:6). Without that redemptive context, the commandments are reduced to moral code and might be construed as “doable” by any self-satisfied moralist. I believe the commandments bind all people, tongues and tribes through all generations. I also believe they indict the same, as no one obeys them whole heartedly. Therfore to display them publically (especially emblazened with a national flag) risks nurturing a heightened sense of self-righteousness among the religious. Speaking as a Christian to Christians, that would not advance the Gospel, but exhalt hubris. Furthermore the aim of the new covenant is to have the law written on our hearts (Jer 31:33; 2 Cor 3:3; Heb 8:10) not on stone (or plywood).
This is not to dismiss or discount the reality of living in a pluralist society and how displaying such monuments contend that reality. My concern is for fellow believers and their enthusiasm (misplaced, in my opinion) for such displays.
I watched a news report some years ago where a woman was sobbing over the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from a public space. As it was being carted off she screamed in anguish that the workers were breaking it. I hope she and I are as concerned with our own breaking of the actual commandments in daily thought, word and deed, as she was over the marring of that facimile.
I’m not unsympathetic toward those who lament society’s moral degradation and find comfort in common foundational principles. Nor do I believe anyone is exempt from God’s judgment simply because they deny his existence. But neither are people exempt from his judgment simply because they declare themselves law-keepers and display it on street corners and public squares.