Ok so last night I watched the Ten Commandments on TV starting Charlton Heston as Moses.
First of all, was “Charlton” a made up name by his parents when they couldn’t decide on Charles or Carlton? I haven’t heard of anybody ever named that.
(Picture from dailymail.co.uk)
Secondly, let’s talk about the Commandments themselves. I can’t read that language on the tablets that Chuck is holding, let’s get a more legible version.
(Picture from copiosa.org)
There, that’s better.
Now as I read them, they seem like pretty standard “good person” stuff. Don’t kill, don’t lie, don’t cheat on your spouse, be good to your parents.
Then there are also a few things pertinent to God. Seems fair. He wrote ’em, he’s allowed.
The one I could never get my head around is “Thou Shall Not Covet”.
First if all, who says “covet”?
Secondly… uh what’s does covet mean?
Covet: yearn to possess or have (something).
(Ok I’ve known that since first learning the Commandments. Oh come, if we’re still using “Thou” and “shall” then fine, I’ll allow “covet”)
So…We can’t want to have something? Seems counterproductive in a world filled with things.
But maybe it’s in the word “yearn”:
“Yearn: have an intense feeling of longing for something, typically something that one has lost or been separated from.”
I’m concerned. Society is clearly anti- killing/stealing/lying and if I do kill, steal or lie, there are clear consequences. And even if I miss church on Sunday, at least my mom will give me a firm “tsk tsk.”
But there’s no “HELLO, 911?! It’s my neighbor, he’s COVETING! COME QUICKLY!”
But if I want something REALLY REALLY badly, then I’m sinning.
Well that sucks.
There’s no quality control against coveting. We can’t call 911 when someone covets. We’re all out there coveting with reckless abandon every single day without concern for our immortal souls.
If thoughts are admissable as evidence to keep me out of the pearly gates then I am in TROUBLE
I say it should be 9 Commandments and 1 Suggestion.
You always write interesting posts!
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Thank you very much for saying that. I never know how these things will land
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i always enjoy your work and always get food for thought from your work.
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I watched the movie last night too. it’s an old Easter tradition
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I’ve always found it leads to interesting discussions, in regards to the commandments, if it is considered a sin to think it in the mind or only if the act is physically committed.
What say you?!
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I personally don’t see how a thought can be policed. That’s ludicrous.
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You would be surprised (or not) that many people believe that “thinking it” is enough to be a sin. Blows my mind too.
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I’m sure. If thoughts are admissable as evidence to keep me out of the pearly gates then I am in TROUBLE
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Heh..there are days when I feel like I am upgrading to a suite in hell…If I believed in that sorta thing!
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LOVE this!
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Thank you so much
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Covet is more that a wanting or yearning. It is a type of envy, wanting that of someone else and the obsession is unhealthy and the act of getting it is the sin.
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I would imagine that if thinking something (as opposed to doing it) was a sin we would all be in trouble….good post, as per usual!!
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That’s what I’m saying
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You’re just worried you’re going to hell lol!
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And thanks
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