Sta Hungry Stay Foolish

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

A blog by Leon Oudejans

The 10 Commandments

The last few days, I’ve had a strange urge and felt reluctant to follow-up on it. My curiosity has won. I’ve done a sanity check on my concept of the 7 Belief systems and its 7 Guiding Principles by using the 10 Commandments. The 10 Commandments are similar and sacred in all 3 of the Abrahamic religions, being Judaism (oldest), Christianity, and Islam (youngest).

After analysing the 10 Commandments, I noticed that 4 of them relate to Love: divine (13), parental (5) and romantic (7) love. After puzzling with the other 6 Commandments, I came to the following linking:

1. Knowledge domain:

  • Philosophy – equality principle: 10th Commandment (controlling your desires/thoughts)
  • Science – humanism principle: 2nd Commandment (don’t try to become like God)
  • The Truth – justice principle: 9th Commandment (no false witness)

2. Power domain:

The above clearly supports the famous proverb from 1 Corinthians 13-13: “Now abide these three: Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest of these is Love.”

I’m not sure how I should feel after linking the 10 Commandments to my concept of the 7 Belief systems and its 7 Guiding Principles. I think, feel and believe, the linking at least does not contradict my concept. Perhaps, I might even claim (some) support.

I think, feel and believe it’s safe to say that the 10 Commandments are about resisting temptations. Most Commandments are clear “Thou shall not” and then insert the name of the temptation. In other words, temptation is the most dangerous pitfall for humanity. So why are humans burdened with so many temptations??

A religious answer would refer to the curse levied on Adam and Eve – representing the image of humanity – after eating forbidden fruits from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Humanity gained “liberty” by falling for temptation. Temptation was the eternal price for human liberty.

Another perspective springs to mind: as children, our parents protected us against temptations. Growing up into adulthood is also finding our own special way in dealing with temptations. Parents cannot always protect their children. Children need to play and learn from their mistakes. Sometimes this learning will be the hard way. Our daily choices in life are governed by (resisting) temptations.

Somehow, I feel that I’ve come full circle now. I really need to digest the above.

Let the children play (1977) by Santana

artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2

Note: all markings (bolditalicunderlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.

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