Commandments are life rules

OPINION:

“Americans face social costs for fading faith,” the subheading of “Christianity in crisis,” (Web, Sept. 19) warrants attention. A 1973 Gallup Poll reported that 73% of the U.S. population was attending church services weekly. The figure stayed around 70% through 2000, but in 2019, just 34% reported attending church at least once or twice a month. In 2020, it was 31% and in 2021, just 28%.  

The teaching of Christianity is to love God, love your neighbor as yourself and to properly self-govern. The reward is heaven, after this earthly life.  

By law, we cannot teach Christianity in public schools (although Scripture reading is really a requirement for true understanding of key words in the Constitution). However, for the good of us all, everybody must obey the Ten Commandments. That may help end the killings and thefts, keep protests at a civilized level, ensure proper instruction in schools and generally maintain some peacefulness.

We ought to simply post the Ten Commandments in schools. The proviso for doing so could be in accordance with the axiom of the U.S. Declaration of Independence instead of that of separation of church and state.  What “We the People” want is a truly civilized society.

THOMAS J. PIERPOINT

Lake Ridge, Virginia