Why not the Beatitudes?
Nationalists who contend that the US is a Christian nation are pushing to have the Ten Commandments posted in every public school classroom, elementary through university.
Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee have already passed such laws, in some case even specifying a specific 11” by 14” poster. Several other states are following suit.
While the courts adjudicate the Constitutionality of the separation of church and state, I have an even more fundamental question: WWJD?
This acronym, popularized by evangelical youth in the 1990s, asks disciples to consider "What Would Jesus Do?" before making choices — “a guide to act with love, compassion, and kindness in difficult situations.”
While it’s true that Jesus didn’t abolish the Ten Commandments, the Bible says he did fulfill it by instituting the higher law of Love (Matthew 5:17).
In that case, here’s my question:
Why aren’t “christian” nationalists, if they want the nation to be more Christ-like, pushing to have the Sermon on the Mount posted in classrooms? Why not, indeed? Many biblical scholars would say that the Sermon (Matthew 5:1-48) summarizes the most essential teachings of Jesus.
Or if Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is too long, how about just posting the brief Beatitudes at the heart of the Sermon (Matthew 5:1-12)? …“Blessed are the merciful, the meek, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, etc.”
Or maybe post an even shorter version of Jesus’ gospel. When asked about the greatest law, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
Personally, I think homes and houses of worship are the places where religious concepts are best instilled, not public schools. Religious freedom for all is thus protected.
But if your aim is to foster a Christian nation, wouldn’t you want to post the loving words of Jesus, rather than the schoolmaster law that he fulfilled with Love?
Biblical references are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition (NRSVUE).
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