Laws signal societal values. For instance, Driving While Intoxicated Laws message many societal values. Human life and private property are to be valued; they speak to decency and disfavor with public intoxication as well. Arguably, they offer a faint endorsement for sobriety.
The Decalogue promotes values as well. The Ten Commandments are endowed with a diverse assortment of values. These are values which make the Ten Commandments a popular vehicle for societal change. What are the values connected to the Decalogue?
The following values can be extracted from the Ten Commandments.
The Value of Authority, the Value of Freedom, the Danger of Idolization, the Value of Following Instructions, the Values of Words, the Value of the Sanctity of Language, the Value of Human Beings, the Value of Animals, the Value of Work, the Value of Rest, the Value of Community, the Value of Life, the Value of Marriage, the Value of Family, the Value of Respecting Relationships, the Value of Property, the Values of Other People’s Property, the Values of Honesty, the Value of a Court System and the Value of Oneself.
For this Post, the last value, the “Value of Oneself,” will be analyzed to illustrate its connection to the Decalogue.
The Value of Oneself
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his servant or his maid or his ox or his ass or anything that your neighbor has.”
Exodus 20:17
While the Tenth Commandment addresses jealousy, the prohibition against coveting also serves as a “wake up call.” It is a provision that demand individuals to “self-reflect.”
If one desires what other’s have, the obvious solution is to “get your own.” If you like your neighbor’s c White Convertible Bentley, then go out and get one for yourself.
The “get your own” solution, however, is not for everybody. While some people can simply afford to buy a Bentley, others may have to “work for it.” Thus, if they really wanted it, effort must be made. The goal’s achievement will take time and significant savings.
Also, there are those who for whom the Bentley is simply never within reach. Perhaps, someone might give them one as a gift or it could be from the proceeds of winning a lottery. The greater reality is that it is simply outside of their reach.
With all of these scenarios, materialism must be reconciled over valuing one’s self. Finding one’s internal happiness is the key. A balance must be striked. Reasonableness should enter the equation.
Finally, valuing one’s self also should include valuing others. Finding happiness in other’s success must also be an element in every individual’s perspective.
Conclusion
There are a vast number societal values that are reflected within the Ten Commandments. The Decalogue can act as an efficient tool of transmitting them upon a society. This is in part why they should be employed within the educational systems. They offer the opportunity to enter into a discussion of values.
Be well!!
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