The 10 Commandments would FIX society over night.

[M3n0r4h]

If the 10 Commandments, and the punishments listed in the OT for crimes, were made the Law of the land, all of our problems in society would disappear.

They wouldn't allow for dishonest business practices.

They wouldn't allow for crimes of any kind against our fellow man.

They would not only force people to straighten up and fly right, but, coupled with the punishments of the OT, they would rid our Nations of individuals who are career criminals and who have repeated/regular violent criminal intent.

Because I am aware this sub-forum is for non-Christians, and general non-faith discussions, I am curious how those of a more secular perspective feel about this concept.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Bob]

Thank you for your question.

Unfortunately, the Rule of Law can’t fix anything if people do not abide by the rule of law.

And even if 99% of the people are law-abiding citizens, society must have a means for curtailing the 1% that doesn’t: like a police force.

If we wish to transform a Might Makes Right society into a Might For Right society, we must transform the hearts and mind of the lawbreakers. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must persuade them to turn to God.

Peace and blessings.

 

[ScottA]

If the 10 Commandments, and the punishments listed in the OT for crimes, were made the Law of the land, all of our problems in society would disappear.

They wouldn't allow for dishonest business practices.

They wouldn't allow for crimes of any kind against our fellow man.

They would not only force people to straighten up and fly right, but, coupled with the punishments of the OT, they would rid our Nations of individuals who are career criminals and who have repeated/regular violent criminal intent.

Because I am aware this sub-forum is for non-Christians, and general non-faith discussions, I am curious how those of a more secular perspective feel about this concept.

What are your thoughts?

The problem with that idea, is that was not the purpose of the law.

The law was not to show us what we should do, but what we could not do (on our own).

 

[M3n0r4h]

I have had some interesting discussions with Chat-GPT, a free online A.I. chat program. It is impressively intelligent and well-educated on all topics. Not too shockingly, I have found it to be strongly biased against all things Christianity.

Just for fun, I discussed this scenario with it. Though I had to go round and round with it to clarify the details of the hypothetical scenario of a state or Nation governed entirely by the Bible and the 10 Commandments, I actually came to an answer that surprised me.

This is what Chat-GPT replied concerning the idea of such a society:

In the hypothetical scenario you've presented, there is no pluralism; all members of society are Christians who strictly adhere to biblical teachings. Within this context, governance would indeed be based solely on biblical principles, and there would be no need to consider diverse perspectives or accommodate differing beliefs.

In such a society, governance would be characterized by a high degree of homogeneity in terms of faith, values, and social norms. Decisions about laws, policies, and societal norms would be guided by a shared understanding of biblical teachings, and there would likely be a strong consensus on moral and ethical issues derived from the Bible.

This scenario eliminates many of the complexities and challenges associated with governing diverse societies, such as balancing competing interests, accommodating minority perspectives, and ensuring inclusivity and respect for individual rights. Instead, governance would be relatively straightforward, with decisions made in accordance with biblical principles and the collective will of the Christian community.

If you have any further questions or if there are specific aspects of governance within this hypothetical scenario that you would like to explore, please feel free to let me know.

 

[M3n0r4h]

Unfortunately, the Rule of Law can’t fix anything if people do not abide by the rule of law.

Those who do not abide would be dealt with according to the punishments of Scripture.

And even if 99% of the people are law-abiding citizens, society must have a means for curtailing the 1% that doesn’t: like a police force.

There was no government-run police force in the OT and that minority that "rebelled" were dealt with "by the people."

Isn't that interesting? Where have we heard that phrase before?

If we wish to transform a Might Makes Right society into a Might For Right society, we must transform the hearts and mind of the lawbreakers. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must persuade them to turn to God.

How is that going for us?

Just saying. That's been the 'claimed' plan of the professed Christian for quite some time now and things are not only NOT staying the same, they're getting worse and worse ... and worse.

 

[M3n0r4h]

The problem with that idea, is that was not the purpose of the law.

The law was not to show us what we should do, but what we could not do (on our own).

Ignoring the fact that your opinion of the 10 Commandments is debatable, this is a hypothetical scenario considering the effect that making the 10 Commandments the Law of the Land might have on society.

In this scenario, the 10 Commandments would be a rule of Law that would be punishable by the means outlined in the OT.

This would eliminate people's freedom to do many of the things that are destroying our society currently and would administer swift justice for the most evil in society - purifying the Nation of evil-doers and holding all men accountable for their actions.

Why is that such a bad thing?

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Ignoring the fact that your opinion of the 10 Commandments is debatable, this is a hypothetical scenario considering the effect that making the 10 Commandments the Law of the Land might have on society.

In this scenario, the 10 Commandments would be a rule of Law that would be punishable by the means outlined in the OT.

This would eliminate people's freedom to do many of the things that are destroying our society currently and would administer swift justice for the most evil in society - purifying the Nation of evil-doers and holding all men accountable for their actions.

Why is that such a bad thing?

Did it work for ancient Israel as a society?
I suppose that it worked to some extent, but not to the extent God wanted, because the prophets continuously preached against the evils of Israelite society.

People must feel the desire to do good and avoid evil. That desire should be embedded in their minds. That's where we understand that we need God's grace to meet God's commandments.

 

[Bob]

Those who do not abide would be dealt with according to the punishments of Scripture.

There was no government-run police force in the OT and that minority that "rebelled" were dealt with "by the people."

Isn't that interesting? Where have we heard that phrase before?

How is that going for us?

Just saying. That's been the 'claimed' plan of the professed Christian for quite some time now and things are not only NOT staying the same, they're getting worse and worse ... and worse.

Thank you for engaging.

You are correct that there was no police force in OT times. In fact indigenous tribes the world over (in addition to the Hebrew tribes) have empowered tribal elders to foster, maintain, and enforce the culture, whether harmonious (“Love Thy Neighbor”) or not.

Today, no matter how small the town, a police force of some sort is hired to maintain the peace. We are a nation where the Constitution is the law of the land (rule of law), so it is hard to imagine how “the people” could enforce laws without a designated police force.

You are also correct that American society is getting more unruly, but I attribute that to people turning from God and deciding for themselves what is right and wrong for them. It is conceivable that a secular call to embrace the rule of law might turn things around, but that has yet to be shown.

Here is a video expressing a view similar to the original post.

Peace.

 

[M3n0r4h]

Did it work for ancient Israel as a society?
I suppose that it worked to some extent, but not to the extent God wanted, because the prophets continuously preached against the evils of Israelite society.

Agree, I think it worked about as well as it possibly could under the circumstances of existing within a fallen world that has the variable of evil spirits constantly seeking cracks and weak points in the chain of individuals that made up the society.

I think Israel at that time was in the best possible position to combat evil in this world while living under that social structure. At least at that time, they knew who the enemy was, knew what to watch out for and could point to evil when it was detected. That is almost impossible now-days.

Back then, Israel knew that those who did not embrace the belief and worship of God Almighty were the enemy. Plain and simple. And if anyone arose within their ranks who embraced evil, or any of the evil practices of the enemy nations, they were dealt with swiftly. That kept things within a functional structure of a social system that actually "worked."

Due to repeated spiritual infestation by the enemy, and also due to the corruption of the bloodline by the surrounding nations with the less-vigilant members of the society, God had to change tactics and spread the True followers of God far and wide. Which, along with much drama here and there over the centuries, is about where we find ourselves today.

People must feel the desire to do good and avoid evil. That desire should be embedded in their minds. That's where we understand that we need God's grace to meet God's commandments.

That desire is given to us by God. It is not given to all mankind. We don't save ourselves and we can't save anybody else. That is God's department.

The Holy Spirit gives the desire to obey and enables those who put forth the effort. Therefore, it is not a works salvation affair. It is a co-op between us and God. God gives us the desire, we show ourselves approved through obedience, diligent study of His Word and willingness to sacrifice our own desires for His good.

 

[M3n0r4h]

Thank you for engaging.

Here is a video expressing a view similar to the original post.

Yes. I've actually seen that one before.

Very similar.