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One Empty Gesture Requiring Posting the Ten Commandments
Holy platitudes, Batman!
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 hierarchical power structure in Louisiana to coerce citizens with their particular vision of religion. But this law isn’t about the Constitution, law, or even religion. Like all right-wing political actions, this is about concentrating power.
An Empty Gesture of Power
This new law is about power, but it is ultimately an empty gesture. Why? Multiple reasons.
The Ten Commandments appear in a story within the Jewish Scriptures — yes, Jewish Scriptures, the Torah. It’s from what Christians slightly condescendingly label the “Old Testament.” That’s because Christianity has the “New Testament” that tells a story of a new covenant between…
