Why not the Beatitudes?

One of the many odd goings-on in the public sphere are Christian politicians working to have the Ten Commandments posted in classrooms. 

Kentucky’s attempt to do this got shot down by the Supreme Court in 1980. Louisiana persisted, and in 2024 their lawmakers signed a law mandating that posters of the Ten Commanments be hung in public classrooms. They officially signed the law at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, a location which did not reassure the “separation of church and state” people. Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah politicians are working hard to sell Commandment posters.

Personally, I am in favor of children learning not to kill, steal, tell lies, and we all know that coveting wives and donkeys always leads to trouble. I am a big fan of number eight, the Lord’s day, as it is God’s stamp of approval on the concept of a weekend.

However, there is that number five about false idols: other religions are in trouble because, as the commandment continues:  the Lord is “a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me.” That’s a bit troublesome for people, especially I would think for sixth graders.

I sent a few postcards out to these Christian politicians asking why they didn’t want to post what Jesus taught: the Beatitudes. Afterall, they’re Christians, right? So they follow what Jesus taught, right?

But let’s face it: who is going to run an election based on the Beatitudes? They go against our basic all-American values. Look who Jesus is blessing: those who are poor, who are meek, people who are mourning, those who hunger for justice, merciful people, the pure of heart (whatever that means), and people who we persecute. Losers. Then Jesus goes and encourages “peacemakers?” What is he, a snowflake?

Commandments are rules. They go up on a poster and the children get to check off all the ones they’ve broken. Easy.

The Beatitudes says to stop staring at the damned poster and look around. Look around for those who are grieving. Look for the meek people. Who is merciful? Why do we think someone is pure in heart? Which kid in class is the peacemaker? 

He’s describing the people he wants us to walk with. Jesus is naming our guides. Jesus says, “Find them.”

I know, I know, telling people to follow rules is a lot easier.