‘ABSOLUTELY NOT’: Theologian’s shocking take on the Ten Commandments in classrooms

Key Concepts

• Apostolic Journey: A trip undertaken by the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter, the leader of the apostles.
• Nicene Creed: A foundational statement of Christian belief, celebrated for its 1700th anniversary.
• Reciprocal Rights: The principle that religious groups should have the same freedom to worship as they grant to others.
• Separation of Church and State: The constitutional principle in the United States that government and religious institutions should be separate.
• Public Education: Government-funded schooling, contrasted with private and charter schools in terms of cost and effectiveness.
• Holocaust: A historical event that the speaker warns against the potential erasure of its teaching in public schools.

Pope Francis's Apostolic Journey to Turkey and Lebanon

Pope Francis is embarking on his first apostolic journey on Thanksgiving Day, with planned visits to Turkey and Lebanon. Jonathan Morris, a resident theologian, explains the significance of these travels.

Significance of the Apostolic Journey

Morris clarifies that an "apostolic journey" is undertaken by the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter, the first apostle and leader. This designation highlights the Pope's role as a spiritual leader.

Turkey: Celebrating Shared Christian Beliefs

The Pope's visit to Turkey is particularly noteworthy as he will celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. This creed represents a codified statement of Christian belief that is shared by various denominations, including Orthodox, Catholic, and even Anglican Christians. Morris emphasizes the profound message of celebrating common ground among different Christian traditions. He notes that this region was historically where early Christian oppositions were active.

Lebanon: Championing Reciprocal Religious Rights

From Turkey, the Pope will travel to Lebanon. His intention there is to "plant a flag" and assert that Christianity should be respected with "reciprocal rights." This means that if one religious group is allowed to worship freely, then other groups should be afforded the same freedom. Morris describes the Middle East as a "melting pot" and a "crucible" of religious beliefs and conflicts. He highlights that the principle of reciprocity of rights is a crucial tenet of Christian moral ethics. The Pope's visit to Lebanon is also intended to support the Christian population there, which is noted as having the largest Christian footprint in the Middle East, despite being largely marginalized. Morris acknowledges this as a political stance, characterizing it as a "conservative" position that prioritizes conserving eternal principles and mutual respect.

Jonathan Morris's Perspective on Pope Francis

Morris expresses his admiration for Pope Francis, stating, "I do. Doesn't mean I agree with him on everything he says, but I don't want to have to agree with him on everything. I just hope he agrees with the Gospel and with Jesus, and I think he's pursuing that."

The Ten Commandments in Public Schools and Separation of Church and State

The discussion shifts to a recent order by a federal judge mandating 14 Texas school districts to remove displays of the Ten Commandments from classrooms, raising the issue of the separation of church and state.

Argument Against Ten Commandments in Public Schools

Jonathan Morris states his strong opposition to the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. He explains his reasoning by stating, "I have a child who's in public school in New York City. Do I want them to put the Ten Commandments up? On the wall of my child's classroom? Absolutely not." His primary concern is that allowing one religious text would necessitate the inclusion of others, leading to a proliferation of religious displays. Morris believes that public schools should focus on teaching fundamental skills like reading, writing, and critical thinking. He argues that while the Ten Commandments might have been considered appropriate in the past due to perceived shared public values, the current societal landscape has changed significantly.

Critique of Public Education

Morris identifies a larger problem with public education itself, citing the high cost of educating a child in New York City's public schools ($30,000 per child) compared to Catholic schools ($9,000) and charter schools. He questions why public funds are being allocated to what he perceives as "bad education."

Religious Symbolism and Historical Context

When asked about other religious symbolism like crosses or Christmas trees, Morris acknowledges that these can be considered part of history. However, he reiterates that teaching the Ten Commandments is a "very dicey thing." He expresses concern that schools might misrepresent religious beliefs, stating, "I do not want schools to be presenting this is what Christians believe, because they're probably going to get it wrong as they would get this is what Jewish people believe, they'll probably get it wrong."

The Danger of Erasing History

Morris raises a significant concern about the potential erasure of historical facts, citing an example in New York City where public schools are reportedly attempting to downplay or omit the teaching of the Holocaust. He warns, "Here's a big danger right now I know in New York City, the public schools are trying to erase the teaching of the Holocaust. Let's not talk about it anymore. Or the Holocaust is really not even -- I mean, depends what you mean by Holocaust. There could be an emotional Holocaust, you know? And really erasing history. That's what we have to watch out for, the facts being erased."

Conclusion

The discussion highlights two key areas: Pope Francis's diplomatic and spiritual initiatives in the Middle East, focusing on interfaith dialogue and the protection of Christian minorities, and a critical examination of the role of religion in public education in the United States, emphasizing the importance of secular schooling and the preservation of historical truth.