Face it, God makes challenging demands of all of us. We’re supposed to put Him and others ahead of ourselves. This is why many folks have replaced the Ten Commandments with the Ten Suggestions.
For those antiquated enough to still own a Bible, you can locate the Ten Commandments in two locations. Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21 both contain them in full.
But if you’re too sophisticated to worship the God Who created you out of nothing, I have something for you. If you’re too occupied with yourself to give two cents about your neighbor, much less innocent children, then this is for you.
With no further ado, here is the first half of the Culture of Death’s Ten Suggestions, to replace the Ten Commandments:
1. THOU SHALL MAKE THYSELF GOD
Original: “Thou shall have no other gods before me” (Ex 20:3).
You idolize sexual pleasure and sensual stimulation, as the Culture of Death instructs you. This causes you to seek out excitement and depend upon it for your happiness.
If you’re not happy, then clearly everyone else is to blame. This world is all about you, after all.
Promiscuity and pornography promise you immediate gratification. Just swallow hard and try to ignore the emptiness you feel, indulging your appetites every opportunity you get.
The marital act seems incomplete to you, but you’re not sure why. You could ditch the contraception getting between you and your spouse.
But then you would have to be generous, have faith, and not rely upon yourself.
Since this violates the first commandment of the Ten Suggestions from the Culture of Death, you’ll pass.
2. THOU SHALL INVOKE THE NAME OF THE LORD TO DILUTE THY GUILT
Original: “Thou shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Ex 20:7).
The command Moses received directly from God may have told you not to blame God for your misfortunes. But why should that apply to you here in the 21st century?
Maybe you’re right. Maybe God considers you a good person. After all, you haven’t killed any (born) person. That puts you a step below Mother Teresa right there, does it not?
You invoke God only when it is convenient to do so. Namely, when some crazed rightwing lunatic points out your hypocrisy. That’s when you throw down your trump card: Jesus said not to judge.
And there you have it. Any lifestyle you choose to live, even a homosexual one, is permitted in your mind. God doesn’t hate you, so anything you do you pretend earns His approval.
3. THOU SHALL VISIT ME IN THY HOLY HOUSE JUST TWICE A YEAR, IF THOU CHOOSES
Original: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex 20:8).
At least you come to church for Christmas and Easter. Church attendance may be a weekly obligation for those religious fuddy-duddies. But not for you.
No, you’re there to prove you have at least a little bit of respect for God Almighty. You’re thankful to be alive and you’re there to ask Him to leave you the heck alone.
For the other 363 days of the year, you’ll go back to spoiling yourself.
Besides, you’ve visited a church a few other times. You promised before God lifelong fidelity to several spouses. Now you’ve had a couple divorces.
Some say this proves your unwillingness to commit to a lifelong marriage. You just lie to yourself saying it proves you won’t settle for anything less than the best.
4. THOU SHALL LIMIT THY FAMILY SIZE… THE OZONE LAYER THANKS YOU
Original: “Honor your father and your mother…” (Ex 20:12).
Honor, respect, and appreciation for family? Ha, that is so 1950! C’mon, this is 2015. You’re enlightened now.
Being responsible for the wellbeing of others? Taking ownership of your career aspirations? Making a mortgage payment? These are tall tasks.
No one would blame you if you are not up for the challenge marriage entails. It’s not for wusses.
The marital act seems incomplete to you, but you’re not sure why. You could ditch the contraception getting between you and your spouse.
But then you would have to be generous, have faith, and not rely upon yourself.
Since this violates the first commandment of the Ten Suggestions from the Culture of Death, you’ll pass.
5. THOU SHALL BE A GOOD PERSON, SO LONG AS THOU DOES NOT KILL ANY BORN PERSON
Original: “Thou shall not kill” (Ex 20:13).
Finally, a fair moral system! So long as no one kills anyone else who has breathed our toxic air filled with the fumes of the Culture of Death, then we are all good people.
This is the new moral high bar of acceptable living.
Anything else is just too restrictive. To limit what someone is permitted to do takes away their almighty autonomy. And this just cannot be permitted. Personal autonomy reigns supreme, the Culture of Death ironically lays claim.
This is why abortion has to unfortunately be permitted in your backwards worldview.
Raising babies requires sacrifice. They require a change in lifestyle. Such demands infringe on your “freedom” to have cheap sex and live the promiscuous lifestyle. Thus, such unborn children are expendable.
But hey, at least you don’t support putting to death any born children. Even you can recognize a need for limiting murder.
YOUR TURN
Perhaps there’s a lie or two mentioned above you have fallen for, presently or in the past?
Stay tuned for my next post to read the remainder of the Culture of Death’s Ten Suggestions, Replacing the Ten Commandments.
Feel free to leave a comment on any of the first five, as I have laid them out.
Would you reword any of the five to something else? If so, what and how come?
