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Ten Commandment Tablets Removed From Schools

I would offer the 5 Buddhist Precepts

Panati-pata veramani sikkha padam samadiyami
Adinna-dana veramani sikkhi padam samadiyami
Musavada veramani sikkha padam samadiyami
Kamesu miccha~cara veramani sikkha padam samadiyami
Sura meraya-maija-pama~datthana veramani sikkha padam samadiyami

1. Refrain From the life or any other
2. Refrain from taking what is not given
3. Refrain from Lying, Slandering, Gossiping and Spreading Rumors
4. Refrain from Sexual Misconduct (sexual activity that brings harm to oneself or another)
5. Refrain from Taking Intoxicants


For me as a Buddhist father, an atheist my child who is 5 and seen by all he meets as a very loving and kind child is at a school and most every thing in life here in upstate NY with Children that believe in a God, TV shows, commercials etc. He has been thought to respect and love all beings, when bothered about his beliefs he simple replies I respect what you believe and it ends there. If he sees something on TV he just says “well it’s what they believe”.

I could care less about old stones on a building and care only for the rights of all to believe, as they will. I do believe the government that is in place now is a danger to that.

Just what I believe.
 
SteveW said:


Actually, Christ did say "Follow His Father's Commandments" or something to that effect. The Xians regard that law the only OT law still in effect.

However, that being said, I find it strange that Xians, athiests, muslims, or anyone would object to mere words. Big frigging deal. I would rather my kid learn to not kill than have him grow up and support der fuerher Bush in killing Iraqis for oil.
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The point here SteveW, is that in the US there is a big song and dance about how

1) They keep state and church separate

and

2) Every religion is given equal footing

This violates both those, it's not really about non xians being upset by them, it's about people saying "Are you hypocrites? Do you have double standards?"
 
Buddy said:
Steve,

These are not mere words. They represent the rules taken from a religious text and are therefore not permitted on school grounds. It implies that monotheism is the correct way to be, and that implication is discriminatory to atheists and to polytheists.

And would you please cite me a religion that does not subscribe substantuially to these laws?

Being an atheist, Im sorry buy I cannot object to the basic concept to the commandments. To quote and old adage about E=MC^2 its not only an good idea - its the law!

The commandments, while Judeo-Xian, are still good laws and I have no problem with them being displayed. It is up to parents to put it in perspective. If you have kids that you want to teach the truth to, I leave it up to you to do it, not having the state to fufill your obligations.
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Actually, bibles are VERY permitted on school grounds. Any child who wants to can bring his/her bible (or other text) with them and read them to their own content. Any child who wishes to may pray whenever they like between lessons, or during quiet/study time. To the exclusion of the study material if they value salivation over education.

The problem is when the school uses its position to push a religion (even the DOMINANT one in a region) on the student body. Students praying during school hours, on school grounds is absolutely fine and 100% legal. Students or teachers leading prayer using the school PA system is not.

In this case, in late 1997 the rocks are placed out in a prominent position. By 1998, there was (predictably) lots of trouble brewing over them. Initially some of it was humorous, but it probably escalated rapidly once the death threats against the 'phallus guy' and other such fun got started.

Passive as the stones are, they silently tell students: "We're Judeo-Christian here", which is affirming, I'm sure, to the Christians bowing to them, but also an unwelcome reminder that "YOU are out of place here" to anyone who is not a Christian. Especially to those who are mandated by state law to attend school there.

As a ploy to gain political attention, sticking the rocks up is a great thing to do. Remember just last year when the Alabama Judge, Roy Moore, who had a 5,280 pound "Ten Commandments" put up in his court house had to take it down?
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_10cc.htm

It's also a great way to stir up the religious right-wing. "Look, this ancient stone I had carved and erected last month in a publicly owned building is going to be removed! Defend your faith! The heathens and homosexuals are taking it all away!"
 
zakur said:
commandments1.jpg

A group of pastors pray around a Ten Commandments monument outside
Peebles High School Monday before it was removed under court order (AP).
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If I were a witness to this spectacle, I would find it very difficult to avoid making a very loud comment about the IDOL WORSHIPPERS. Of course, this wouldn't make my life any easier in the short-term, but maybe somebody would see my point...

As an aside, though, I think one of the things that bothers me most is that the American flag is prominently etched into the stone tablets. Why?
 
Oh, and don't forget the turkey, er, eagle. Just drive home that it's "un-american" not to be Christian (or maybe) Jewish.

That idolatry suits them.

Without religion, what would all of those people who talk to rocks and venerate them above people be?
 
SteveW
The commandments, while Judeo-Xian, are still good laws and I have no problem with them being displayed. It is up to parents to put it in perspective. If you have kids that you want to teach the truth to, I leave it up to you to do it, not having the state to fufill your obligations
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1. You failed to understand that the issue is separation of church-state, so the quality of the 10 commandments is not relevant.

2. The 10 commandents are not good laws. There is nothing good about "having no gods before me" or "keeping the Sabbath holy."

3. It is the State's obligation to teach truth to children. If you are suggesting that the State enjoys the right to force our children to go to school so it can lie to them, then you are wrong.

Your comments suggest that you are either a) a religious fascist, or b) hopelessly naive and ignorant. But really, (a) is just a subset of (b), so I suppose you could be both.
 
I seem to recall (from reading that buy-bull) that not keeping the sabbath was also a capital crime.

Joshua Korosi: LOL
 
"This photo shows some of the protesters "protecting" the commandments before they were removed."

If anyone comes close, we will throw our Pokeman, or whatever it is that kids play with now, at you!!

-Who
 
Originally posted by evildave
Any child who wishes to may pray whenever they like between lessons, or during quiet/study time. To the exclusion of the study material if they value salivation over education.
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Now, tasty food has been known to make me salivate, but certainly not prayer. :D
 
Another irony point, by praying to the graven images, they are in fact instructing the kids to ignore any of the "laws" they find not to be politically expedient.
 
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