Tuesday, August 03, 2004
By Stockton
Amid a flood of laser lights and a cheering crowd of seventy-five, the Ten Commandments took the stage today in Dayton, Tennessee. Best known for their admonitions contained in Exodus 20:1-17, the Ten Commandments received a warm welcome from the crowd, who had booed the opening acts, The First Amendment and the Taft-Hartley Act.
The Ten Commandments are a collection of proscribed acts. Individually they are known as:
2. YOU SHALL NOT MAKE YOURSELF AN IDOL
3. YOU SHALL NOT MISUSE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD
4. REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY BY KEEPING IT HOLY
5. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER
6. YOU SHALL NOT MURDER
7. YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
8. YOU SHALL NOT STEAL
9. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
10. YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBORS ASS
The day overflowed with Christian charity, as only some can practice it:
"The ACLU is still the enemy," said June Griffin of Dayton, an outspoken advocate for displays of the Ten Commandments in government buildings.
The Constitution was never far from their minds:
Jewell Sneed, 70, snapped photos of her 7-year-old great grandson, Jacob, standing beside the monument.
"I think it was awful for them to make them move it from he courthouse," Sneed said. "That is what our country is based on, is God and the Bible. Why we want to take God out I don't know. I think we are headed for big trouble when we take God out of schools and everything."
And Christianity was never far from their minds:
Larry Darby, president of the Montgomery-based Atheist Law Center, Inc., was heckled by some in the crowd Saturday and loudly told, "You're not welcome here."
At one point, John Rocco, 73, of Dayton, bumped his knee into Darby's leg as they passed on the ramp steps to the display.
"That's typical Christianity," Darby shouted. "These people are the lunatic fringe."
Rocco said the knee bump was an accident."I'm glad I didn't carry my gun. I'd probably be in jail right now." Rocco said. "I believe in the Ten Commandments and I don't appreciate what people like him are doing to my country."
Or making a little profit:
Although no speaker asked for money, pamphlets handed out at the stadium rally included an application for active membership in the veteran's group, at a cost of $120 a year or $1,000 for lifetime. A representatives of the Foundation for Moral Law, Inc., of Montgomery sold Ten Commandments pins for $5.
Dr. Melvin Flemish, a Theology Professor at Case Western University was at the concert and did notice some interesting things. "First," said Flemish, "the whole tour does smack of idolotry. It is the equivalent of worshiping an idol. Second, Ms. Griffin and Mr. Rocco are hardly loving their neighbors. Indeed, Mr. Rocco was actually contemplating shooting a man. Also, selling God's words? It certainly violates the spirit of the the Third Commandment."
Dr. Flemish attempted to discuss these inconsistencies with the concert goers. He is now in stable condition at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital.
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