Render unto Caesar
The national media and talk show hosts have been focused on a new Louisiana law requiring schools to post the Ten Commandments. This is a hot button issue. The Louisiana legislature and governor did their state, and the country, a disservice by making this a national controversy. Their effort smacks of political opportunism. Using religious controversy as an election strategy is particularly crass and cynical.
Religion is foundational to our nation. Our founding fathers made no secret of their steadfast belief in God. God is mentioned in the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. Today, the United States is one of the most religious countries in the developed world. America was founded by pilgrims escaping religious persecution in Europe — persecution that was aided and abetted by government institutions. The issue here is not that religion is bad, but that government control of religion will ultimately create more harm than good. Man and his governments are sinful and can corrupt even our faith if given enough power.
People are quick to mention the separation of church and state, enshrined in our U. S. Constitution. The First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The courts have stretched that clause over the years to ban prayers and Christmas trees at schools, which is overkill. Good judgment and balance is in order here.
The Louisiana law demanding that schools post the Ten Commandments adds fuel to the fire. It will engender a severe backlash which undermines good judgment and rationality in the first place. No teacher should be prohibited from posting the Ten Commandments in her classroom. It is a significant part of our history and culture. But neither should the state legislature be demanding that it be done in every single school or else.
The important concept here is coercion and the Louisiana law is exactly that. Schools should not be forced to post a particular religious document. Nor should schools prohibit “the free exercise thereof.” We need moderation and common sense, not coercion. This applies to both sides of this debate.
Jesus Christ said it best 2,000 years ago: “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. And render unto God what is God’s.” Jesus knew that faith was a personal decision that came from the heart, not a piece of legislation.
If the Louisiana legislature is determined to pursue their bull-headed mandate, we suggest instead of the Ten Commandments, they post Jesus’ summary of it, which really gets to the point: “Love God with all your heart, mind and soul. And love your neighbor as yourself.” If we just followed that simple proscription, this controversy would instantly dissipate.
