News: The state of Louisiana now requires that the Ten Commandments be posted in each public school classroom.  In Oklahoma, schools are now required to teach the Ten Commandments.  Why are so many outraged at this simple requirement?!

Why are people so afraid of the Ten Commandments?

• They do not force a singular religion on anyone.  No one has to convert to the Methodist church or the Catholic church or any other church.  The first commandment only tells us to love God.  Scriptures tell us that we will be blessed if we do so.  There is proof.  When Israel obeyed God and His commandments, they were blessed.  When they didn’t, they were not blessed.  God was constantly sending prophets to them to tell them to turn back to Him and obey His commandments.
• Many of the issues raised by the Ten Commandments are either against our laws anyway, or the issue itself is considered quite negative by most of society.  For example, adultery.  Adultery has created problems in every society throughout the world since before the commandments were even written.  Also, murder.  There is no country on earth that believes that murder is okay.  Most people also recognize that coveting the goods of others leads us down a treacherous path of negativity.  Concerning the ninth commandment (don’t lie), my grandfather used to say: “Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive.”  We grew up with those words stuck in our heads.  Lying was always on our radar to stay away from even though my siblings and I may have strayed here and there in our younger years.

So, why not teach the commandments to our children?  Why not try to help them avoid potential future pitfalls in their lives?

Imagine a world where the people have been taught a love for the Ten Commandments.  The murder rate would be nil or close to it.  Children would learn to love and obey their parents.  People would learn to be content with the things that God provided for them and be glad for others to have the things proper to their lives.  The bonus would be that everyone would have a a day off.  Imagine.  No going into the office.  Your boss could not even make you work from home.  A real day off.  You could spend it with your family, spend some time reading, and learning more about God from the mistakes of others recorded in the Scriptures.  You could also do some hiking or other relaxing activities to restore your body and spirit.

And yes, people would learn to love God, especially after they find out that obeying His commandments bring peace, blessing and hope for a kinder world for their children.

Mk 10:17 – 22  And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

It’s sad that the young man loved his possessions more than God.  The first commandment tells us to love God first.  It’s not hard to love God.  Start counting your blessings and see what He has done!