blessed are...
In 1956, as part of a marketing promotion for the film
The Ten Commandments, Cecil B. DeMille arranged for large stone monuments of
the Ten Commandments to be placed in strategic locations in numerous cities
around the U.S.A. Boise, Idaho received one. It is a strong, stately
monument, and it was set in a prominent position in Julia Davis City Park, where
it remained for nearly four decades.
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Thou Shalt... |
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Several years ago, activist Kansas preacher Fred Phelps and his followers
decided it was their religious right to place another stone monument with
strongly worded anti-gay proclamations next to the Ten Commandments in Julia
Davis Park because, after all, it was obvious that religious monuments were
allowed on public property in Boise.
Thus, the controversy started.
The Boise City Council, after much public input, heated debate, and some
lawsuit potentiality discussions, voted to remove the Ten Commandments monument
from the park. In the interest of separation of Church and State, in March
2004, the monument was moved to the church grounds of St. Michaels Cathedral,
near the Capitol Building in Downtown Boise. It will remain there.
In 2006, after lengthy legal wrangling and then a decision by the Idaho
Supreme Court, the issue is up for public vote in Boise on November 7th.
City voters can say Yes or No to erecting a new, privately donated Ten
Commandments monument in Julia Davis Park.
It is a highly polarized situation. Many are watching.
I sure am.
I have a hunch that no matter how it turns out, it might still be a very long
time before it gets fully resolved. We'll see.
Here's where I'm going with this. Instead of engaging in the heat of
the controversy - there are plenty of people already doing that - I'm going to
do a little imaginary musing, sourced from an interesting comment made by a good
friend last week. It was a comment that set me to thinking...
If I could place a monument in public view on property... would I choose
the Ten Commandments for that monument?
Well now. No. The Ten Commandments are fine. But I'd choose
instead some choice words of guidance from the Beatitudes...Jesus' beloved
Sermon on the Mount.
Today, from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5, here are - for many - some of
the most dearly cherished words from the Bible:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be
comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God.
You are the light of the world. A city built
on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the
bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your
good works and give glory to you father in heaven.
There's just something about those words. As they settle into the
deepest parts of my soul, I recognize and remember them yet again, and I am
soothed and humbled and exalted, all at the same time.
Yes, a monument displaying the Beatitudes would be very nice, wouldn't it?
I think it would look especially nice, perhaps even on the grounds of The
Light in the Woods in Garden Valley.
Which, by the way, happens to be private property.
Private property...where general public access is most welcome.
With love,
-Rev. Tom
(Follow up: On November 7, 2006, voters in Boise
rejected the proposal to erect another 10 Commandments monument in Julia Davis
Park. Supporters of the proposal have accepted the voice of the majority
and will not pursue further legal action regarding the issue.)
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Blessed Are... |
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