Post 10 commandments at home and church first

The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from the city of Elkhart, Ind. to keep their six-foot statue of the Ten Commandments located in front of city hall. I didn’t drive by to see it during a recent visit to the city, but I had just re-read the Ten in a 1942 printing of a Common Book of Prayer. Accompanying service notes suggested that the commands be read them once a month in conjunction with communion.
Once a month? It has been ages since I have heard them read in church or used in a sermon, let alone read them myself.
A few minutes after reading the Ten, I entered a beautiful church filled with worshippers who would support displaying the Ten Commandments in front of city hall or in a courtroom. The church atrium is warm and welcoming with beautiful pictures of gardens, a supply of books and floral arrangements – but no display of the Ten Commandments.
I am not picking on that church, I haven’t seen the Ten displayed any of the churches I have attended at home or while traveling. Other than the billboard on the northern end of the city’s business district, the Ten are not generally, publicly posted.
– Not in the businesses owned by those who protest everytime another governing body is reprimanded for posting the Ten.
– Not in private schools.
– Not in my home or the homes of folks I know.
– Not in any of the places where anyone would dare prohibit the posting of the Ten.
While we wait on the legal system to decide if, at this time, it views the Ten as part of our legal heritage or a religious statement, no law prohibits posting them in other, more accessible spots.
Reading the command “Do not commit adultery” while picking up a divorce decree at the court house merely rubs salt in the wounds.
Posting the Ten Commandments in shops and restaurants with “Do not Steal” highlighted might keep potential culprits from having their first encounter with the command on a court room wall while awaiting judgment.
Having the Ten in plain view when making financial decisions would underscore, “Do not covet.” Reading the tenth command while waiting for a bankruptcy hearing is too late to stop the quest to satisfy an overwhelming desire to have more than the paycheck can cover.
Before a child reaches juvenile court with a willfully, defiant attitude, post the Ten in the home where the command to “honor your mother and father” is demonstrated with respectful attitudes and actions.
Deacons, pastors, choir directors and children workers, especially need to be reminded “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” Write it and the other nine in big, bold letters in the church foyer to remind worshippers to take one day out of the rush of life to rest and worship before exhaustion flattens them with lots of time to read and contemplate the Ten.
If the Ten Commandments are important enough to make a legal fuss regarding their display on civil property, surely they are important enough to post in our places of business, our homes, churches, schools and, most especially, in our hearts by living them out in our daily lives.