One Empty Gesture Requiring Posting the Ten Commandments

Holy platitudes, Batman!

Douglas Giles, PhD

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Party like it’s 1956!

I’m not religious, but I deeply respect people of faith. Of course, I see the difference between religion and faith. The former is a hierarchical power structure; the latter is personal lived experience. I respect people’s lived experience far more than I respect power structures.

This week, a hierarchical power structure in Louisiana has decreed that the Ten Commandments shall be displayed in every classroom in their state.

This action, of course, violates the US Constitution, specifically its First Amendment which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Also, of course, the hierarchical power structure in Louisiana will argue that they aren’t Congress, and thus are free to pass laws establishing religion and prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Casuistry.

The US court system will waste a lot of time over the next few years arguing over the alleged technicality that supposedly allows a…

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Douglas Giles, PhD
Douglas Giles, PhD

Written by Douglas Giles, PhD

Philosopher by trade & temperament, professor for 21 years, bringing philosophy out of its ivory tower and into everyday life. https://dgilesauthor.com/

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