Freedom FROM Religion

 

We are told we have freedom OF religion. 

What needs to be emphasized is the need for freedom FROM religion. 

Louisiana decreed that the Ten Commandments be posted in all public schools through university.

Never mind that posting the Ten Commandments is probably unconstitutional, but who knows how the current Supreme Court will rule. It is no longer a reliable body to protect citizens from the government or each other.

History is laden with damage done by religions that want entire populations be subjugated  to  a religion, a my god or gods are better than your god or gods approach: wars, inquisitions, crusades, destruction, witch burnings and executions abound. 

I would not want to live in Oliver Cromwell's Christian world any more than I would want to live under the Taliban.

My country was founded by religious fanatics and their descendants seem to be alive today.

I'm happy I grew up in modern Massachusetts not in Pilgrim/Colonial Massachusetts when rigidity included having a church refuse an organ because music was evil...And there were those witch burnings supported by church fathers. . .

The idea of making sure that the Ten Commandments hang in every classroom to promote Christian values is at best, abhorrent.

For those that wants to ban books because children might be traumatized, the Ten Commandments could bring up topics that should not be discussed with younger children.

There may be children from religions that don't have these archaic rules, although some do have merit such as not killing, stealing and telling lies.

Take the graven images. Will children who do stick drawings be punished? No more photographs or art work, good or bad, if it is the image of a living creature.

And if the kids are from families that don't go to church on Sundays just because they don't want to? Will this traumatize those kids? Will they worry about everlasting damnation?

What about kids who are from Seventh Day Adventists families, Muslim or Jewish families who have different holy days? Will they be scared?

What will kids think of their parents who swear? Will that mess up the honor your father and mother commandment?

Bearing false witness means that every politician that lies about his or her opponent should be punished. Will kids see nothing happens except maybe or maybe not being reelected? Will that stop little Ian or Emma from saying the other child stole the cookie that they, themselves, stole?

As for idols...should we ban superheroes? Movie stars?

What do you do about President 45 who commits adultery? Isn't a third grader too young to know about adultery?

I don't think many kids know what coveting is. 

Merriman-Webster defines covet as a transitive verb "to wish for something earnestly" and as a intransitive verb as "to feel inordinate desire for what belongs to another." 

I suppose the coveting commandment could be used to teach the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs. 

When society is so unequal, it would be hard for a child not to covet someone or something. With all the commercialism and keeping up with the Jones in current society, coveting could be considered a daily practice.

However, not killing, robbing and telling lies are good things to teach. Will have a paper hanging on a wall change behavior, make kids more religious?

I could see a wonderful teaching moment if the following were also posted:

• The Five Pillars of Islam
• The Five Precepts of Buddhism
• The Five Principles of Shinto
• The 613 Jewish Mizvot
• The Rastafarian Commandments
• The Dharma of Hinduism

Realizing that there are many religions in the world, might create a more open minded, educated population and reduce conflict and the arrogance of trying to force one's religion on others.

I am happy for people who have found comfort in a religion, any religion. Just don't inflict it on others.

Note: Check out D-L Nelson's website at www.dlnelsonwriter.com