Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Bill Clinton Scandal - SANITY CHECK -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Achilles who wrote (55685)	7/10/1999 8:35:00 AM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 67261

I do not think Cicero more boring in style than the Aquinas or Kant, although the intellectual content is not as absorbing, but it represents a "take" on morality, in terms of social obligation and finding one's just place in the community, that is good to advance an understanding of... ...Is it desirable for the government to promulgate a moral code for children? Not if it is novel, but if it reflects cultural norms, and re- enforces community standards, I would say "yes"...Is the Federal government the appropriate level? No, not ordinarily, but there is a peculiar political dynamic at work here, and the Congress is acting as a proxy for the local school systems who would like permission to post, but might suffer from endless litigation...Should the moral code be Biblical? If the Bible is the relevant sacred text for the children involved. As I have said, any substantial minority should have similar consideration within a particular school. If the idea is honoring the value- bearing tradition, then it is most appropriate...Should the choice from the Bible be the Ten Commandments? Since the invocation of the Ten Commandments has become an "iconic cliche" similar to the invocation of the Bill of Rights, I would say that it is quite suitable to the purpose... ...Your last two paragraphs put forth the strongest formulation I have yet seen against the posting of the Ten Commandments. However, we are not obliged to excise all references to particular ways of viewing God and religion merely for the right to post or circulate culturally resonant material. For example, the Declaration of Independence refers to the Laws of Nature and Nature's God. Camus refers (in "L'Etranger") to the "benign indifference of the universe". The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" invokes the glory of the Lord. It depends, it seems to me, on the perceived function of the posting. If it has much admonitory power on those not adhering to the monotheistic religions, then I suppose that you are right. If it merely reinforces pre- existing beliefs, as I have argued, I think that the objection fails. At worst, to establish a constitutionally permissible display, one would have to include it in a wider array of texts, from several sources, such as the Bhagavad- Gita and the Analects....