To the editor: Decades ago, I attended a public elementary school in the deep, segregated, heavily Christian South. I still remember the horizontal sign in giant letters placed above the blackboard: “Golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (“Ten Commandments must be displayed in Louisiana classrooms under new Republican law,” June 19)
Whether this sign had a Christian or religious intention, I was too young at the time to know. There was no mention of a god or religion. Although the saying appears in the Christian Bible, its history (with slight variations) is much broader and longer. It dates back to ancient times and is reflected in the teachings of many religions around the world and in secular humanist thought.
This message applies to all of us. If there is any poster that should be placed in classrooms, it is this one.
Carla St. Romain, Pasadena
..
To the editor: Ah, but what set of Ten Commandments will have to be prayed in Louisiana classrooms?
There is the set used by Catholics and another used by the majority of Protestants. Louisiana law requires the latter, and that state has many Catholics who may be upset that their children will be taught the Protestant Big Ten.
The Protestant set includes as its Second Commandment: “You shall not make for yourself any graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, nor on the earth beneath, nor in the water under the earth. You will not bow down to them or serve them.” Catholics can make all the carved images they want.
I have yet to see a politician demand that the Catholic set be shown. So, at least in Louisiana, no more recorded images will be made in art classes.
Bob Wicks, Brea
..
To the editor: After the Ten Commandments are posted in every classroom in Louisiana schools, I wonder how a teacher of, say, a third-grade class will respond to the inevitable question from some bright and interested student:
“EM. Jones, could you explain to us what adultery is and how we can make sure we don't commit it?
Brian Bland, Santa Monica
..
To the editor: First Amendment issues aside, how wonderful in this era of anti-Semitism that the state of Louisiana has chosen to highlight a portion of the Torah (“the Jewish Bible”) to teach ethics to its students.
I hope this is a good example and uses the original source of the Ten Commandments, as both Catholics and Protestants have made minor changes over the years.
Victor Dorff, Agoura Hills
