The 10 New Commandments
The Ten Commandments are frequently discussed as outdated or even obsolete. Based on a discussion by Maureen Johnson with her father in To Sail Beyond The Sunset, concepts of Alan Dean Foster in his Commonwealth and many discussions with friends, I came up with the following 10 New Commandments.
If you object, please discuss with us.
If you like them, spread them!
- There is a god. All variants in the end are facettes of that same truth.
- Do not murder or command murder.
- Honor and foster love and live in all it’s facettes.
- Love your spouse, children and friends and nourish your love.
- Raise your children that they are proud about their heritage.
- Help when you can.
- Treat all live with respect. Foster nature and it’s resources.
- Do not acquire valuables without a fair compensation.
- Do not lie without a very good cause.
- God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
1 Don’t believe the priests or politicians trying to convince you differently.
2 That includes mass murder as war. The sin.
3 is main to 4, 5, 6, 7… Not limited to human life, but also nature!
4 includes to spend time with the family (nourishing, “Sabbath”)
6-8 includes not to abuse labor
10 Thank you friend and co-author Ice-Sphinx for suggesting the Serenity Prayer as No. 10!
» Jürgen
Sharon
September 19, 2008
I especially like and agree with your 10 commandments. You know, it’s interesting that even with so much changing all around us all the time, we don’t usually think to update some of these basic things. And yes, there are things that remain constant, but everything can do with a little refreshing for current times.
jmiklovic
June 1, 2009
#1 - Logical impossibility - ie ‘my god says yours doesn’t exist’
#2 - Not an update, already a command
#3 - Ok, Jesus teaches this as the second great commandment… or the summation of the 6-10 actual 10 commandments.
#4 - Already covered in your #3.
#5 - Um… bad commandment if your heritage is full of murder, debauchery, etc…
#6 - Falls short… Help always! Even at your own expense.
#7 - This is the golden rule… or close to it, nonetheless it is already biblically commanded (though not directly in the the 10 commandments) and a rewrite is unnecessary.
#8 - Again, golden rule… also a clear biblical principle (generosity) which is evident throughout the Torah.
#9 - eh… again, bible covers this just fine.
#10 - a cute cliche… i guess.
I could not disagree with Sharon more!
You have some good things in your rewrite, but the original ten seem more robust and believe it or not, more relevant today than your rewrite.
Sometimes things need updated, but adding your own paint strokes to a masterpiece will only ruin it. The Ten Commandments need no modification.
Peace,
Jay Miklovic
jbarthel
June 1, 2009
Hello Jay,
I value your opinion, though you are one of very few giving me such feedback. Even strong church-supporters question the value of the ten commandments. Times changed and yes, some of it duplicates, but that is true also for the original ones.
Some thoughts:
#1 - Why is it an impossibility? All believe in God. Is there more than one? Or is that something small minds make up to be “superior” to others? Even if we look at the warlords in religion, our own “Christian, Muslim and Jewish”, we all believe in the same god, even the older parts of our bible are identical and we all believe in the 10 commandments.
#2,#7, #8, #9, all - It is not meant as totally new, but as a modifcation to reflect our religious views.
#3+#4 are NOT the same. The one is to foster it, the other to give it! Often enough, one or the other is ignored.
#5 - Children should be proud of their parents. I doubt they are proud of abusers, thiefs, murderers, etc.. It is not that the children have to be proud of you, but that you raise them in a way they can be proud of you!
The 10 Commandments (which are discussable even about their number) are a guideline. We even “grouped” it as you can see in the footnotes, as yes, they reflect general truths - likewise to the existing 10 commandments. Relevance of some of the old ones? Times change. And our (and my) modifications were done as “minimalistic”. Not change the good in the existing. But get rid of small-minded protectionism: “My god is the only right one, you are doomed”??? I cannot believe a god of love, giving his only son, would be so narrow-minded.
Just some food for thought! And thanks for your very thoughtful feedback!