Commandments' content is real point

As a rebellious preacher's kid who often questioned the faith my father preached and lived, I was brought up on the Ten Commandments.

"Son," my exasperated dad told me after one round on the existence of a higher being, "even if there wasn't a God, there still wouldn't be a better way to live. Just follow these 10 rules - and you'll turn out OK."

I tried. And even when I failed and failed again, those words kept coming back to me like a disappointed Moses throwing the tablets at a crowd that traded order for turmoil.

To me, they were the first real sign of law ... the first recorded rules on how to live a good life.

That's why I was a little surprised when I read that an Alabama judge is having to fight to keep a copy of the Ten Commandments posted in his courtroom.

So I tried to remember those rules - just to make sure my life was up-to-date and to see what possible reason anyone could have to object to what they say.

I came up with eight of the Ten Commandments and turned to my Bible for a little help. In a nutshell, here's what they said: Don't steal, kill or lie about other people. Be faithful to your husband or wife. Don't care more about worldly things than your spiritual life. Make your family a priority and don't envy the good fortune of others.

Earlier this month, the Harte-Hanks Texas Poll showed that more than seven in 10 Texans believe the Bible is God's Holy Word - and that everything in it is true or will come true.

Judging from the crime statistics in the state - including those for theft, burglary and murder - that other 30 percent has been pretty busy.

That's not even taking into account the problems in families and even in businesses caused by breaking some of those other commandments.

For years, Texas and the nation has struggled with the issue of religion and government. It has become even more intense in Texas, as state officials wrestle with ways to use faith-based groups to help run government programs.

Nationally, President Clinton asked each church to hire someone off the welfare rolls - something some preachers didn't think was such a good idea.

"It is really not our job to feed the poor and house the homeless," one Dallas minister recently told D Magazine. "Our job is to make, inspire, inform, model and facilitate - to create the kind of people who care about those kinds of things."

Some would question how Biblical that statement is, but it is an indication of some problems that may arise in the quest to move religious groups into the mainstream of operating government programs.

Both Gov. George W. Bush and Comptroller John Sharp have initiated efforts that would develop plans to use groups of all faiths to do that.

Few think that government should promote religion. But neither should it ignore the benefits of faith-based programs that have been successful in rehabilitating prisoners and getting folks off welfare and into jobs.

Many Texas churches, synagogues and mosques have achieved more than government programs because they stress accepting responsibility for yourself. And they provide the support system for those who need additional help to succeed.

They do that by teaching those same laws some folks want removed from the Alabama courtroom.

The U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month supported public display of the Ten Commandments in courthouses and other government buildings. The Senate will consider an identical resolution.

But that should be considered support for what those commandments say - not a rejection of other religions by a government elected to represent all Americans, no matter what faith they practice.

As a strong believer in the separation of church and state, I sometimes find myself at odds with those who believe that the Cross should be displayed at a city hall - but that a Menorah or a Koran should not.

That includes Judge Roy Moore, the Alabama judge who wants to keep the Ten Commandments. He's right when he says he should be able to display those laws but he's wrong when he says only Christians can pray in his courtroom. He won't allow Muslim or Buddhist prayers.

Every American's religion is important, and deserves a place of honor in government and especially at home. That includes the 10 Commandments - one of history's first recorded sets of laws.

If we as Americans, started living by those Commandments instead of just fighting to keep them on display - we might not need to keep those courtrooms quite so busy.

And Texans believe it might just prove what Moses said in Deuteronomy 4:6 (NIV).

"Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' "

Steve Ray is chief of the Harte-Hanks Austin Bureau.