The Ten Commandments - A Twenty-First Century Draft
Below is my interpretation of the Ten Commandments. I wrote the original draft of this over a year ago, while developing a value system that would encourage and support humanity in living sustainably, with compassion and truth, and working toward renewal. The draft below incorporates insight and understanding that I've gained in the past year. I found the exercise useful to better understand my own beliefs, and the deeper meaning on Christianianity.
The Ten Commandments were most importantly clarified by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount and by his command not to resist evil by force. Jesus modeled compassionate belief throughout his life, even though this practice led to his death.
More recently Leo Tolstoy, in his book "The Kingdom of God is Within You", expanded the understanding of this compassion philosophy. After reading this book, and supported by the Ahimsa concept, Mahatma Gandi led his non-violent resistance movement in India. This in turn inspired Martin Luther King Jr. and others to achieve progress through peaceful action.
The text of the Ten Commandments is a hazy interpretation of a harmonious and sustainable philosophy of life. It underwent multiple retellings and translations, limited by the language of that time. Jesus clarified it by utilizing his language and his understanding of humanity and nature. He incorporated concepts that may not have been necessary to explicitly spell out when the original text was composed.
It is only through the lens of our current experience, understanding, and language that this philosophy, requiring a value system of truth, compassion, renewal, and sustainability, leading ultimately to happiness, can be understood.
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The Ten Commandments - A Twenty-First Century Draft
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1. I am the Earth and Universe that created you. Thou shalt acknowledge and honor that you are part of me.
2. Thou shalt serve only me. Those who serve others or speak against me cause suffering. Those who protect me and love me will find happiness in it.
3. Thou shalt protect and restore me to my pristine state.
4. Thou shalt not kill.
5. Thou shalt not cause unnecessary suffering. Thou shalt seek understanding of the roots of suffering. Those suffer who desire what others possess.
6. Thou shalt reflect and learn from all your actions. Thou shalt listen to the thoughts and words of your parents, elders, and others.
7. Thou shalt gather together regularly to learn and celebrate.
8. Thou shalt speak, without embellishment or deceit, the complete precise accurate truth at all times.
9. Thou shalt not make icons of me or those who speak the truth. All truth comes from me and must be understood with logic.
10. Thou shalt support truth sayers so they can spread understanding. Thou shalt make a place for truth sayers to live and to go out from. Where the truth is believed, prosperity and happiness will prevail.
..........
The Ten Commandments were most importantly clarified by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount and by his command not to resist evil by force. Jesus modeled compassionate belief throughout his life, even though this practice led to his death.
More recently Leo Tolstoy, in his book "The Kingdom of God is Within You", expanded the understanding of this compassion philosophy. After reading this book, and supported by the Ahimsa concept, Mahatma Gandi led his non-violent resistance movement in India. This in turn inspired Martin Luther King Jr. and others to achieve progress through peaceful action.
The text of the Ten Commandments is a hazy interpretation of a harmonious and sustainable philosophy of life. It underwent multiple retellings and translations, limited by the language of that time. Jesus clarified it by utilizing his language and his understanding of humanity and nature. He incorporated concepts that may not have been necessary to explicitly spell out when the original text was composed.
It is only through the lens of our current experience, understanding, and language that this philosophy, requiring a value system of truth, compassion, renewal, and sustainability, leading ultimately to happiness, can be understood.
..........
The Ten Commandments - A Twenty-First Century Draft
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1. I am the Earth and Universe that created you. Thou shalt acknowledge and honor that you are part of me.
2. Thou shalt serve only me. Those who serve others or speak against me cause suffering. Those who protect me and love me will find happiness in it.
3. Thou shalt protect and restore me to my pristine state.
4. Thou shalt not kill.
5. Thou shalt not cause unnecessary suffering. Thou shalt seek understanding of the roots of suffering. Those suffer who desire what others possess.
6. Thou shalt reflect and learn from all your actions. Thou shalt listen to the thoughts and words of your parents, elders, and others.
7. Thou shalt gather together regularly to learn and celebrate.
8. Thou shalt speak, without embellishment or deceit, the complete precise accurate truth at all times.
9. Thou shalt not make icons of me or those who speak the truth. All truth comes from me and must be understood with logic.
10. Thou shalt support truth sayers so they can spread understanding. Thou shalt make a place for truth sayers to live and to go out from. Where the truth is believed, prosperity and happiness will prevail.
..........