They're Not The
"Ten Suggestions"!

Across the United States in recent weeks moral issues have become the topic of daily conversation. Many seem ready to rewrite Scripture. A significant "Commentary" column by Chuck Lee, adult education minister with Southeast Christian Church, Loisville, Kentucky addressed this. He wrote:

It has become popular to vilify those in America who suggest that we should abide by moral guidelines. Newspapers attack politicians who dare to speak from biblical precedents, a criticism that is a spinout of the philosophy of relativism so rampant in our society today. Since the relativists don't like absolute rules, perhaps we should offer them a rewrite of the Ten Commandments so that they should be more like "Ten Suggestions." Since it is popular to be tolerant rather than moral, we ought to allow people more latitude in their ethical and moral bounds. The "Ten Suggestions" might read as follows:

• 1. It is not necessary to acknowledge God unless there is a tragedy, like gigantic hurricanes in Central America. In such cases, the governor may officially call for prayer, but school teachers should be fired for doing the same thing.
• 2. Certain kinds of graven images are all right as long as they make fun of Christianity and leave other religions alone. We will define such work as "art" and support it from the public treasury.
• 3. Since we can't be sure there is a God, it is alright to use this word in expletives, as long as we don't speak critically of other people's "orientations" and behaviors.
• 4. You can worship on any day you choose, as long as you keep religion inside the church building.
• 5. Express your independence by challenging your parents' authority. We'll even create groups for you so you can feel good about it. If you get into trouble, we'll blame your parents.
• 6. Go ahead and focus entirely on yourself. We'll help you, and we'll call it self-esteem. If you get so self-centered that you freak out and shoot someone, we'll blame the gun or society.
• 7. Sex is only for pleasure, so we know you will engage in it. It isn't adultery if someone else's spouse is willing. If you get sick, we'll blame society and make them pay for it.
• 8. If you really need it and you take it, we'll find a euphanism for what you have done or blame it on chemical abuse. If you find something someone lost, we'll talk about it in our group and decide what you should do. If you commit a crime, we'll tell the jury that your parents were mean, strict, and "religious fanatics."
• 9. The truth is only what gets you off the hook at the moment. If it was true yesterday, it doesn't necessarily follow that it is true today. Every situation contains its own truth. Remember: you can't "lie" when everything is relative.
• 10. Wanting what other people have is only natural. Just find a rationalization for your needing it more than the other person.

The real "Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20:1-17