Ten Voluntary Initiatives

Years ago Billionaire TV innovator Ted Turner (CNN, Atlanta Braves) gave his “Ten Voluntary Initiatives” to replace the Ten Commandments. Apparently, he found major problems with the Ten Commandments (but probably not Thou Shalt Not Steal, as in stealing CNN’s intellectual property).

Turner declared himself a humanist and said Jesus would be sick to His stomach over the twisted interpretations given by the followers of Jesus. He particularly singled out the teaching that humans are born into sin.

His initiatives are not particularly unusual except for a couple of places. For example, he pledged to take care of the planet and to be “friendlier.” He also rejected the use of military force and called for the destruction of all weapons of mass destruction.

Actually, the initiatives did contain one odd proposal. Initiative number three promised to have no more than two children. The very odd part is that Turner has five children.

I began thinking of this because of yesterday’s post describing the website promoting adultery. You had a lot to say in response. You can read it here in “Life Is Short. . . “. There are a lot of people who reject the Ten Commandments and any kind of absolute truth. “Truth” has become whatever seems right to me at the time and subject to change on my whims.

Ted Turner, of course, called the commandments “out of date,” particularly the commandment on adultery.

That seems to be the idea for the website encouraging adultery and the billboard. Actually, it probably has to do with making money without worrying about the consequences of a stranger’s actions.

One of our readers’ really put it in perspective. She said we could put up billboard’s which said: “Out of money? Embezzle some funds from the rich company where you work” or “Tired of paying taxes? There’s a way to get around this.”

Here’s the point. Absolute truth does exist. So does God. He calls us to obedience and faith. The commandments are for our good and for the good of others, but they should be followed by you and me in order to please God.

One of the truths God has taught me recently is that all sin is big. What may seem small to us (pride, lust, white lies) are big to God and keep us from the kind of relationship He desires and we desperately need.

As the world gets worse, let us plan to get better by becoming more like Jesus.

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4 Responses

  1. Another sad humanist story appeared this past week in the TP titled, “Former Louisiana pastor tells humanists about his conversion to nonbelief”-heartbreaking. The consistency in their stands seems to be inconsistency- a hard place.

  2. I agree completely .. This relativism in our society is ridiculous … However .. I have found how to end an argument about this quickly .. When some one says there are no absolutes .. Simply ask .. Are you absolutely sure ?

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