Bill Maher misunderstands the 10 Commandments ....

As our own species is in the process of proving, one cannot have superior science and inferior morals. The combination is unstable and self-destroying--Arthur C. Clarke.

Obviously it's AI; otherwise, Bill wouldn't have six fingers!

Bill Maher and the 10 Commandments

Bill Maher famously hates religion. His views are well-known, as he has openly stated that religion is a "neurological disorder" and that "it stops people from thinking." In his most recent interview with Dr. Phil (Overtime with Bill Maher: Dr. Phil & Stephen A. Smith (HBO), Maher calls the 10 Commandments a "terrible list" and a "stupid list." He claims the first four are "all about God's ego" and that big crimes (i.e., rape and child molestation) are not on the list while "only two laws are on the list--do not kill and do not steal." His statements are, in fact, the perfect illustration of an ideology stopping a person from thinking. However, in this case, it is not religion which stopped him from thinking this through.

In his crusade against the 10 Commandments, Maher fails to realize a number of things: 1. more than two laws are listed as perjury is a crime--in some states, adultery is a crime; dishonor is a crime in many countries as well as a violation for U.S. military officers when directed at public officials; 2. neither ancient law codes nor contemporary law codes set out to cover every ethical or legal nuance, but rather set forth guardrails against more abhorrent behavior; 3. it is for this reason that God, the Biblical author of the 10 Commandments as written down by Moses, gives them to the Israelites--He is setting forth ethical guidelines for a nascent nation to follow.

Mankind's most basic flaw

The 10 Commandments set up guards against mankind's most basic flaw. Were we to keep these principles in mind at all times and follow them, humanity's story would be quite different from what it is. The flaw is illustrated in Genesis 3 with the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden, in Joshua 7 when Achan steals, in 2 Samuel 13 when Tamar is raped by Amnon, and further into the Christian scriptures where a traveler is robbed and beaten (Luke 10). The flaw has three simple steps, as stated by Achan (Joshua 7:21). Confessing his sin, Achan says, "I saw . . . I coveted . . . I took." Consider how basic this flaw is to human nature. From the instance of self-governance, children instinctually want to take what they see, and this no matter what the object might be (unless it's something healthy to eat, of course). Parents recognize fairly quickly that guardrails must be instituted, both for the child's safety and for the future benefit of society! After all, I doubt Bill Maher would disagree that taking whatever one wishes contributes to a healthy society.

The 10 Commandments as an antidote

The 10 Commandments work against this tendency in three ways:

1 foundational standard (Commandments 1-3)

Ethical beings draw ethics, values, and morals from a source, whether that be societal norms, religion, or philosophy. In the case of the Israelites, God claims the right to be that source, and as such, puts Himself as the arbiter of right and wrong. Therefore, far from being signs of a "jealous God" who is "all about His ego," the first 3 Commandments set the foundation for the commandments which follow.

• Commandment 1 makes sense in that there is only one ethical foundation for the Israelites. Much like Americans believe the U.S. Constitution is the standard by which laws are assessed, God considers Himself to be that standard. Just as Americans may not appeal to another country's laws, so the Israelites may not appeal to another god.

• Commandment 2 is not just "Don't talk bad about me," but rather emphasizes one should not speak lightly or flippantly of that which sets the moral standard. American military officers may not disparage those civilians who ultimately guide military policy and give us our marching orders. To do so is treasonous in nature. Is this command given because the public officials' egos can't handle it? No, it is because they are the bosses and shall be treated with their due respect, regardless of personal opinion.

  
  

• Finally, Commandment 3 reminds its hearers of a standard that is to be followed--holiness. Again, as the Creator of this system of ethics, God sets the standard to be followed, and that is to be more like Him. In this case, to rest and reflect and honor Him!

  
  

• I shared Maher's comments with a Rabbi friend of mine, and he wrote this in response: "The idea that the first 3 are egotistical is simply to miss their framing; they are there to make clear the most basic elements of ANY relationship! You could just add easily turn to your wife and say the same things: 1. I am your husband, who demonstrated my commitment to you by saving your life (just an example) and providing you an opportunity for self-actualization. 2. At a minimum, I expect you not to run after other men for this relationship to work! 3. I'm right here; don't love me from a distance or through intermediaries or creating a picture of me that has nothing to do with reality, as that is guaranteed to fail for YOU" (Rabbi Joseph Friedman).

  
  

To bring this home, the first 3 Commandments, rather than being a jealous God's effort at self-aggrandizement, work against the human tendency towards seeing, wanting, and taking by forcing the careful observer to weigh his or her actions against the Creator, much like the careful American may consider the Constitution before taking what he or she desires. If we can but see through God's holiness first, much of humanity's evil would be forestalled.

5 fundamental societal truths (Commandments 4-8)

The simple act of taking what one covets is deleterious in and of itself; therefore, the laws in most societies (in some form or another) prohibit these actions--taking away honor and respect, taking life, taking trust, taking others' possessions, and taking away truth. There are norms required in society which allow societies to function well, and these 5 are fundamental societal truths.

1. Respect is a function of society, creating harmony, healthy relationships, and effective functioning. Americans should respect law officers, public officials, and others doing the work needed to make life happen behind the scenes. Parental respect is at the core of this societal function.

2. The Hatfield-McCoy feud from 1863-1891 illustrates the destructive nature of taking life simply because one wishes to do so. Dozens died violently because family members on both sides opted for revenge by taking life. History is replete with further examples of human beings taking life because they saw something they coveted.

3. Vows are sacred and are founded on trust. Whether the vow is towards the gods or towards another person, they are, even today, considered binding. In contemporary society, vows most often take the form of contracts. One of the most basic vows is that between a man and a woman in marriage. Breaking that vow destroys the foundation of family and, many would argue, chips away at the foundation of society itself. Too often, these marital vows are broken because one member of the relationship saw, coveted, and took (aka, committed adultery).

4. Imagine if Dr. Phil had reached over to Bill Maher and taken his tie, simply because he saw it and coveted it! Taking another's possessions is not warranted in most cultures, as it is a universal wrong.

5. Finally, bearing false witness is a legal term here, and speaks to the deliberate destruction of another person through lying. Again, false witness most often occurs because the one giving false witness has coveted something the other has, and hopes to gain through perjury. It breaks down trust and accountability and is, at its core, wrong.

It is true that these 5 Commandments do not prohibit major crimes as Maher states. There is no rape or child molestation here … or is there? After all, is not rape the seeing/coveting/taking of power over another? Is not child molestation the seeing/coveting/taking of a child's innocence and sexuality? What about human trafficking? Is that not the seeing/coveting/taking advantage of another person in order to gain profit? Most, if not all, human crimes can be attributed to this flaw. Someone saw something, coveted that something, and then took it for him or her self. Having laid the ethical foundation of Himself as the final arbiter, God then lays down the basic laws which recognize that big crimes against humanity stem from the committing of little crimes and normalized deviance. Following these basic laws, then, forestalls the human "take" reflex so damaging to human culture and society.

1 big difference (Commandments 9-10)

The last 2 Commandments cover the "covet" of human misconduct. The Hebrew speaks to more than simply wanting something; "coveting" speaks to uncontrollable desire ... to a burning passion for something so deep that one will do anything to attain that object! Notice that God doesn't have Moses write women shall not wear skimpy attire lest it cause a man to lust. Lust, or covetousness, does not come from outer stimuli, but rather

comes from within a person. Paris' lust for Helen led to the traumatic Trojan War. Adolph Hitler's lust for revenge led to the Holocaust. The list goes on and on, illustrating a bloody, destructive trail through human history. This, then, is the genius of the 10 Commandments. "Seeing" is the first step towards tragedy, but not inherently wrong. "Wanting" is also not a wrong behavior. That turn to "coveting," however, is a turn towards tragedy. Recognizing that "want" has turned to "covetousness" should, in God's economy, drive that person back to God's holiness and away from his or her desire to TAKE, thereby thwarting so much that is wrong in the world.

Society rests on this fundamental concept that each person must be able to control his or her coveting. This moral precept against coveting has the power to guard against the inevitable "take" response. ALL of the bad things Bill Maher wishes were in the 10 Commandments would cease if covetous thoughts were not allowed to become action.

 CONCLUSION

This is no diatribe against Bill Maher or even a screed for the placing of the 10 Commandments in every schoolroom. Honestly, placing these commandments on the wall in every classroom without teaching them as an ethical guideline simply guarantees they will fade into the background and have zero impact upon students' lives and morality. This post is a reminder that all of mankind's sins come from one basic reflex--seeing leads to coveting which leads to taking as that coveting overwhelms the moral and ethical senses. The 10 Commandments in and of themselves provide the antidote to that basic reflex. As Biblical leaders, we are called to see the material things around us through God's eyes, avoid wanting those things more than God Himself, and thus stymie the tendency to take that which is not ours to begin with. Once we accomplish that, God's Kingdom on Earth will truly materialize.

REFLECTION

1. What are your ethical guidelines?

2. Who or what is the foundation for your ethics, morals, and values?

3. A la the 10 Commandments, what are your red lines in leadership?

4. Describe a time when wanting turned to coveting and the impact upon your life or the lives of others.

5. What are your thoughts on Texas requiring the 10 Commandments be placed in every classroom?