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First, let me be clear: there is nothing wrong with posting the Ten Commandments in a classroom — any classroom — but I don't want to be the teacher telling kindergarteners why they shouldn't covet their neighbor's wife. These commandments are not representative of every culture in every classroom in America, but they do represent some general points that most cultures make about peacefully coexisting as a community in some way.
None of the 10 Commandments, with a few exceptions, are enshrined in U.S. law. If they were all law, one of the presidential candidates would be in big trouble over the 10th commandment (the aforementioned no coveting your neighbor's wife). What they do create is a way of living together. Apparently, that's what the ancient Hebrews needed. After 40 years of wandering together in the desert, nerves get tense, and you need some guidelines to get you out safely as a cohesive community.
None of these precepts should actually upset anyone, because most cultures have precepts in some form to guide their communities, so to see them posted on the walls of classrooms shouldn't upset anyone in my opinion. We're not pushing any religion, we're just highlighting what some religions feel is important for peaceful coexistence.
But here's the thing: If these commandments were to be hung in a classroom, they should be alternated with the “commandments” of other major American religions, so everyone can see how similar our views of what is important are. For example, here are some commandments from the Quran. See if any of them look familiar:
“I am God, and there is no god but Me, the Benevolent, the Compassionate.”
• (1) You must not have anything to do with me.
• (2) You shall not kill others.
(3) You shall not commit adultery.
• (4) You shall not steal.
• (5) You must not dishonor your parents!
Hinduism has no commandments but six “enemies” that have a very strict moral code in life.
• Desire or desire for sensual pleasures — Kama — Kama.
• Anger — क्रोध — Krodha.
• Greed — लोभ — Lobha.
• Attachment — मोह — Moha.
• Ego — मद — Mada.
• Envy or jealousy — मत्सर्य — Matsarya.
Do some of these look familiar?
I don't know why kids of any religion would turn a blind eye to a poster of the Ten Commandments when the same rules apply to them, even if with a slightly different emphasis. But I can understand parents of other religions wondering why they don't also post their own commandments somewhere in the school for all the kids to read and respect. Whether you call it lust, adultery, coveting your neighbor's wife, it's the same in every religion. It's not allowed.
I wonder if these “good” Christians aren't a little worried because most of them are supporting a presidential candidate who is unlikely to get into heaven by following the Hebrew Commandments, and they seem to think that everyone else has to follow him.
It's a good idea to instill a moral code in our children, especially one that we follow, whether it's part of the legal system or not. But Christians need to stop thinking that they are the only ones who have a moral code. Every major religion in the world has a moral code, and they're all remarkably similar.
So let's post a moral code in every school — a moral code of every religion in America. Then everywhere students look they are confronted with the beliefs that make it possible for human society to exist. These are beliefs that every major religion has. Wiccans are no exception. Wiccans' beliefs are even simpler: “Do as you please, provided it harms no one.” The Wiccan code, the “Lede,” emphasizes the individual's responsibility to avoid harming others, creating personal responsibility.
So we can have a moral code plastered on the wall of every school that will shape students into good and honest citizens of a good and honest nation. Or, like when I went to Catholic school, we can have kids memorize words and concepts they barely understand so that they can get an A in religion class if they repeat them properly.
Elise Patkotak is an Alaska columnist and author. Her book, “Coming Into the City,” is available at AlaskaBooksandCalendars.com and local bookstores.
Opinions expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a wide range of viewpoints. To submit an article for consideration, email commentary(at)adn.com. Submissions of under 200 words may be sent to letters@adn.com or click here to submit from any web browser. Read our complete guidelines for letters and commentary here.
