Andy's Pet Peeves (number 7432)
This is kind of a rant, but hopefully one that also informs. It's 4 July 2008 and my mind often runs to thoughts of the freedom we enjoy here in America. I am a big fan of freedom; especially the freedom we have here in the States. Freedom based on the laws set out in our Constitution; a document written more than 200 years ago and is still relevant today.
However – despite years of disinformation and misinformation, it is not a document based upon Biblical laws. The Law (as set forth in Torah) is really nothing like the Bill of Rights. Certainly there are Ten Commandments and there are Ten Amendments to the Constitution in the Bill of Rights. But, the similarities stop there.
The difference is really elemental and foundational. The Ten Commandments set up limited to personal freedom as the cost for being the “Children of God”; while the Bill of Rights tells our Government the ways that they may not infringe upon our personal freedom. That's the biggest difference.
Specifically, the first four Commandments are restrictions of our Freedoms of Worship and Speech. Those Commandments set up the under-pinnings of a State Religion; and this was certainly an anathema to men who grew up either running from religious persecution or with the forced compliance of the Church of England.
The rest ... well, we have laws against Murder and Theft. But, most countries do. Certainly Islamic nations do, as do Communist nations and I think that anyone would be hard pressed to agree that those nations were created under “Biblical Principles”.
However ... there are also prohibitions against dishonoring your parents, lying, adultery and envy. None of those are considered crimes under our Constitution (and as someone who has dishonored their parents, lied, been envious and (in my heart) committed adultery ... I am thankful).
The architects of our brand of freedom were Age of Enlightenment thinkers. And, I put forward that it was Enlightenment philosophy that was the basis for our Constitution and not the Bible.
The “point” of the Bill of Rights is the protection of personal liberty at the expense of the State. The “point” of the Law is restricted personal liberty for the good of the individual. Those kinds of restrictions fly in the face of Enlightenment philosophy.
I feel better now. Happy Fourth of July – go and grill something. And, if you get the chance, say “Thank you” to someone who helped earn this wonderful freedom we all enjoy.
Andy
However – despite years of disinformation and misinformation, it is not a document based upon Biblical laws. The Law (as set forth in Torah) is really nothing like the Bill of Rights. Certainly there are Ten Commandments and there are Ten Amendments to the Constitution in the Bill of Rights. But, the similarities stop there.
The difference is really elemental and foundational. The Ten Commandments set up limited to personal freedom as the cost for being the “Children of God”; while the Bill of Rights tells our Government the ways that they may not infringe upon our personal freedom. That's the biggest difference.
Specifically, the first four Commandments are restrictions of our Freedoms of Worship and Speech. Those Commandments set up the under-pinnings of a State Religion; and this was certainly an anathema to men who grew up either running from religious persecution or with the forced compliance of the Church of England.
The rest ... well, we have laws against Murder and Theft. But, most countries do. Certainly Islamic nations do, as do Communist nations and I think that anyone would be hard pressed to agree that those nations were created under “Biblical Principles”.
However ... there are also prohibitions against dishonoring your parents, lying, adultery and envy. None of those are considered crimes under our Constitution (and as someone who has dishonored their parents, lied, been envious and (in my heart) committed adultery ... I am thankful).
The architects of our brand of freedom were Age of Enlightenment thinkers. And, I put forward that it was Enlightenment philosophy that was the basis for our Constitution and not the Bible.
The “point” of the Bill of Rights is the protection of personal liberty at the expense of the State. The “point” of the Law is restricted personal liberty for the good of the individual. Those kinds of restrictions fly in the face of Enlightenment philosophy.
I feel better now. Happy Fourth of July – go and grill something. And, if you get the chance, say “Thank you” to someone who helped earn this wonderful freedom we all enjoy.
Andy
posted by AndyM at 12:28 AM
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