[net.religion] living by the comandments

tmh@ihldt.UUCP (08/16/83)

mARK bLOORE's article fit in with several things I had been thinking
lately.  Namely what do the 10 commandments actually forbid.  
These are sort of paraphrased for clarity.
	-Can't curse using the Lord's name.
		Implies all other forms of cursing are OK.
	-Must worship on the Lord's day
		Doesn't expressly forbid working I would say.
	-You can't worship any other Gods.
	-You have to honor your parents.
		Not necessarily obey them.
	-You can't steal.
	-If your married you can only have sex with the
	   person your married to.
	-Can't murder people.
		Probably Suicide and Manslaughter are in here too.
	-Can't lie about others.
	-Can't lust after other peoples spouses.
	-Can't desire other peoples possessions.

Some of the socially unacceptable acts I figure you could get away
with if we all lived by the commandments are:
    rape statutory and otherwise(provided you were not married and
	 the person you raped wasn't married),
    bygamy and poliandry (the word adultery doesn't exclude being 
			  married to multiple people),
    assault and battery(without intent to kill of course),
    all forms of drug abuse including alcohol(comment as above),
    bribery,
    public nudity,
    most forms of "deviate" sexual behavior,

I'm sure there are others, but sounds to me like the
Puritians were way off and the perverts of the world
would have a field day.

				Any other ideas?,
				Tom Harris

toddv@tekmdp.UUCP (Todd Vierheller) (08/18/83)

Rape and etc OK according to the Ten Commandments?
If you read all contracts this well, I'd like to make a few business deals
with you!

The Decalogue is only the "header" or the capstone of the Law.  If
you think you can restrict your reading to the Ten Commandments (and
misinterpret their meaning as a sleazy lawyer would) you're quite mistaken.
Try reading the rest of the Law.  It's contained in Exodus, Leviticus, and
Deuteronomy.  (Deut. restates what was in Ex. and Lev.)

	     Todd Vierheller (Portland Oregon)

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CSvax:Pucc-H:aeq@pur-ee.UUCP (08/31/83)

I quote from the last article I submitted:  "A Bible text out of context is
pretext."  Alas, I haven't a Bible here with me; but my recollection is that
the famous 10 are not introduced by any flag which would be the Hebrew
equivalent of "HERE ARE THE BIG ONES!!"  I suggest you read the rest of
Exodus (not to mention some of the other Mosaic books, Leviticus and
Deuteronomy in particular); there are prescriptions there for covering many
more situations than just the so-called basic 10.

-- Jeff Sargent