The Fifteen Commandments

As noted historian Mel Brooks observed in his cinematic exposition, History of the World: Part One, Moses originally received 15 commandments on Mount Sinai before dropping one of the three tablets, leaving a third of God’s pronouncements an eternal mystery.

The 10 that were left have caused a monumental stir in the state of Alabama.

While Moses had trouble lifting three tablets, Alabama’s ousted Chief Justice Roy Moore ultimately lost his grip on two of them, cast in 2.6 tons of granite and displayed prominently in the Alabama State Judicial Building.

In unveiling the sculpture, Moore wished “to remind [all judges], as well as the people of Alabama … that in order to establish justice we must invoke ‘the favor and guidance of almighty God.’” Establishing justice may have been a part of his job description. Establishing religion was not.

Unlike Moses, Moore wasn’t chosen by God to lead his people out of religious exile and to guide them in worshipping one supreme being. He was elected to a much lower post — chief justice of a secular court which must uphold manmade laws designed to protect everyone’s freedom to think and to worship as they please.

Disturbed with these annoying legal restrictions, Moore disregarded a federal court order to remove his sculpture and ultimately exchanged his judgeship for the role of religious martyr. While proclaiming only 10 of God’s commandments as the “moral foundation of law,” Moore overlooked a few rules that Moses may have inadvertently misplaced:

Thou Shalt Separate Church From State: Moore’s religious beliefs may be carved in stone, but the parchment on the Bill of Rights prevents government officials from forcing those beliefs on the masses. After declaring our independence, our nation broke free from the religious mandate of a monarch. Moore may be correct in observing that we need more religion in American life, but we don’t need a king, president or chief justice to serve as our missionaries.

Thou Shalt Respect Thy Neighbor’s Views: Moore may denounce atheists, but he was not elected to greet them with the commandment, “I am the Lord thy God.” Nor does he have the right to command idolaters that “thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” or to instruct them in observing “the Sabbath day.” As a private citizen, Moore may observe as he chooses. But, as a judge who must respect and protect the rights of those who may depart from the King James Bible, Moore should have left these excerpts outside of the courthouse.

Thou Shalt Not Take The Lord’s Name in Vain … Or Exploit it for Political Gain: Following the path of a biblical mentor who climbed to the top of the mountain to deliver God’s Commandments, Moore has used this same platform to climb Alabama’s political ladder. As a trial judge, Moore’s irreverent display of the Ten Commandments in a courtroom which hosted priestly benedictions generated numerous headlines. Capitalizing on his popularity, the “Ten Commandments Judge” was elected as the highest-ranking jurist in his state. Having lost that post in a “long, continuous battle that I have fought over acknowledging God,” the “Moses of Alabama” may now lead his people to the governor’s mansion and a “promised land” which recognizes only one God and one set of beliefs.

Moses never saw the promised land. Moore cannot see the promise of our land.