THE TEN NO-NOS

One thing which has long seemed difficult to understand is why the "Official" Ten Commandments of the Christian faith are primarily stated in negative terms. From a mathematical standpoint, only 20% reflect a positive doctrine.

Is one therefore to presume that Christianity -- whose tentacles have spread from both the Old and the New Testaments -- is a negative religion? Certainly, the teachings of Jesus Christ don’t convey such impression. Quite the contrary, we'd have to say.

Nevertheless, the so-called hidebound fundamentals of the world's most dominant religious faith are still glibly quoted today, exhibiting the same negative tone in which they were originally handed to Moses.

Would it not be better to adopt a positive, not to mention sensible means for expressing such basic rules by which people are supposed to abide? In any event, a reasonable go at the effort is laid out below. You'll also find that the mere two that actually do accentuate the positive have been restated in a more practical way.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.
THE UPDATED VERSION
Accept God as the One Almighty Manifestion of yourself.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Thou shalt not make any graven image, or bow down yourself to them nor serve them.
THE UPDATED VERSION
Consider your God as absolute, Whose presence must not be substituted for by any artificial imagery.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
THE UPDATED VERSION
The name of your God should always be spoken with due respect.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.
THE UPDATED VERSION
Although every day should be one where your faith in God is manifest, reserve at least the Sabbath to express this fact outwardly.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Honor thy father and thy mother.
THE UPDATED VERSION
Fathers and mothers should strive to earn the respect and admiration of their children.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Thou shalt not kill.
THE UPDATED VERSION
Do your utmost to preserve life as it exists on earth, in every aspect and species.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
THE UPDATED VERSION
Maintain unbounded fidelity to your chosen mate.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Thou shalt not steal.
THE UPDATED VERSION
Accept the fact that the belongings of others are absolute, and therefore let them so remain.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
THE UPDATED VERSION
Whatever statement you utter should be the absolute truth as you know it.

THE TRADITIONAL DIGESTED WORDING
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, wife, nor anything else that is his.
THE UPDATED VERSION
Be content with what you have and own, whether tangible or intangible, without regard to the related possessions of those around you.