The Third Commandment

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain”

The fact is that this passage is generally interpreted as referring to verbal usage of God’s name by cursing.

The truth is that cursing is only as harmful as any other words. The actions of those who use the name of God for their own agenda are truly blasphemous. “Actions speak louder than words”. Amen.

The young man who was an accomplice in the senseless killing of my young nephew was sentenced to fifteen to twenty years in prison for handing a sixteen year old boy the cocked gun that changed so many lives forever. The family of this budding criminal harassed the victim’s family saying they were good Christian people who did not deserve such a punishment. Never mind the fact that this fine young soldier of the cross was on parole for taking part in the gang rape of a fifteen year old girl.

What would Jesus have done?

Normally, the name of Jesus is not invoked until incarceration is underway. Conversion to Christianity rates second to only sodomy in jailhouse life style changes.

Hallelujah!

I have come to be wary of anyone who bears the cross or fish or any other symbol they deem necessary to brand themselves as one of God’s elite. I have found businesses that use these symbols or spout scripture from the yellow pages are generally as unscrupulous as they come.

There are so many ways to take the Lord’s name in vain. How many wars have been launched in his name? How many needless lives sacrificed by warring armies who both fought for their god? How many arrogant leaders have attempted to invoke the name of God to shore up sagging ratings in the polls or to stir a nation to war at a time when it is most vulnerable?

Surely, if there is a hell, politicians will get preferred seating.

Perhaps the most sickening violation of this commandment comes from those misguided fools who build monuments to God, grand cathedrals that glorify themselves rather than their supposed creator. They sit in padded pews and stare up at solid gold crosses, while listening to sermons from the Gospel of Affluence. All the while, people are starving and dying in this same world. Is this where Jesus would be on Sunday morning? To hide behind the cross to justify our self-absorbed lives is pathetic and surely sinful.

There is no place in The Bible that says blessed are the arrogant. No mention of how those who live selfish lives will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Nowhere does the Bible say blessed are they who war in my name’s sake, for they shall exceed their own father’s presidential legacy.

Note to the Republican Party: Keep an eye on the meek. They may have some pull one day.

Interpretation is everything, whether interpreting the Bible, Koran, Torah or even the United States Constitution. Unfortunately, religious zealots interpret the third commandment as meaning thou shalt not verbally take the name of God in vain. This enables them to live and act however best suits their needs with no consideration for the rest of the world.

And that’s a goddamn shame.