Part 9: Why Teaching the Ten Commandments in Public Schools is So important, (the 10th Commandment, “Thou Shall Not Covet.”) 

Pastor Bruce: Howard, we have introduced you to our audience before, but for those who do not yet know you, Howard is the author of the Amazon Best Selling book, The Spiritual Meaning of Scripture. He has advanced degrees in psychology and business management, has over 25 years of teaching experience as a California Community College instructor and as a senior adjunct graduate faculty member at California Lutheran University. He is also a very accomplished business owner, providing custom-made vehicles to many of the world’s most important and best-known people.

Now Howard, let’s explore why you think that teaching concepts based upon the Ten Commandments in Public Schools is so very Important.

Howard B. Becker: Sure, and thank you very much once again Pastor Bruce.

During our prior podcasts we’ve discussed how teaching the Ten Commandments in public schools offers our students a unique opportunity to explore Principles that greatly affect their mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. We also discussed how these timeless concepts affect the wellbeing of our entire secular society.

We reviewed an article titled; “Pious Pupils in America Perform Better” published in the August 25th 2024 issue of The Economist magazine. This article describes the advantages that a religious background provides public school students in America. And although this article voices several points of view about teaching religion in public schools, it reports:
“Amid the arguments, one thing that tends to be overlooked is the evidence of religion’s impact on performance.

Research shows that religious pupils do better in schools. Pious pupils have higher grades, better attendance level and complete more years of college.”

So, Bruce, I think almost everyone can agree that higher grades, better class attendance and more years of college generally result in improved standards of living and stronger communities. These accomplishments provide many benefits to the secular world around us.

For those unfamiliar with The Economist, it’s a British magazine. It has been published since 1843, and according to Wikipedia it has a weekly subscription of over 1.5 million readers. It is very much based on discussing secular issues of national and international importance.

Their article on Pious Pupils in America goes on to report:
“Studies find that the more religious children drink and use alcohol and drugs less and have fewer sexual partners than their peers.”
I also think most of us would agree that reducing alcohol and drug abuse and sexual promiscuity among our students will offer important benefits to our society, acting to build a healthier, less risky, and more stable nation.

So, the cumulative results of teaching concepts based upon the Ten Commandments will act to provide positive and lasting benefits among our public-school students… while greatly benefiting our American secular society. Offering this curriculum in our public schools is a move in a positive direction!

What are your thoughts here Pastor Bruce?

Pastor Bruce: 1. So, Howard, you’re not suggesting that we attempt to establish any one particular religion in public schools, but rather develop a curriculum that explores concepts based upon the Ten Commandments as they relate to what best serves the best interests of our entire nation.

Howard B. Becker: That’s right Pastor Bruce. I’m suggesting that we develop a public-school curriculum that promotes the individual and societal benefits that teaching concepts based upon the Ten Commandments offers our students. This approach will keep us within the bounds of the First Amendment of our Constitution, which begins “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech.” It also will keep us within the Supreme Court rulings that require all laws to have a “secular legislative purpose.”

It would be a great shame to lose our right to teach these timeless Principles in public schools by being over-zealous in our support for any, one, particular, religion.

We must keep in mind that people fleeing religious persecution formed the basis for the First Amendment of our Constitution in the first place. Freedom of religious belief and freedom of speech are fundamental to our American Dream.

Rather, by using the Ten Commandments we are employing ancient and timeless concepts that are fundamental to religions of all faiths, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike. These concepts also form the foundations of all ethical and moral civilizations.

Therefore, the Ten Commandments are perfectly appropriate for teaching our students concepts that serve their mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. They are invaluable for serving the wellbeing of our entire society.

Pastor Bruce: 2. This makes a lot of sense to me Howard. And although, as a Christian Pastor I would love nothing better than to teach the tenants of Christianity in public schools, I respect our Constitution.

As an American I understand why we need to stay within the bounds of the First Amendment.

I’ve said before, I’ve also got a feeling that teaching the Ten Commandments in public schools will plant seeds in the minds and hearts of our students, and as they mature those seeds may very well serve for the good of their mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. That’s a very worthy cause. And this curriculum may also inspire students to seek more information about the Bible, and I can only image where that might lead them!

Howard B. Becker: Agreed Pastor Bruce. And as we’ve stated throughout this series, this is our mission here. Let’s plant those seeds, let’s nurture them, and let’s help them grow in the minds and hearts of our public-school students. This curriculum will give them the tools they need as they navigate through this complex and confusing world of ours. Our society will be much better off than if we choose not to address these invaluable concepts at all!

And, I wouldn’t be surprised for a moment if these seeds grow into something much more substantial, opening inquisitive minds and hearts to cultivate these concepts further, and of their own accord.

What might come into fruition from this study may one day be something we will all be able to call, truly Marvelous in our eyes.

Pastor Bruce: 3. Amen, brother Howard

Howard B. Becker: I second that Pastor Bruce!

And so, to begin a classroom discussion about the 10th Commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Covert” I suggest that teachers ask their students the following questions:

Do you think that we improve and embellish our mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing through thoughts and affections of goodwill towards others?

Do you think that we are all related as neighbors in that regard, each of us in need of receiving and sharing in goodwill for one another, for our Good and for the Good of all around us?

In that regard, don’t you think that we are all in the same boat together?

How do you think the students might respond to these questions Pastor Bruce?

Pastor Bruce: 4. Indeed, we’re all in the same boat. The Tenth Commandment reminds us that our internal desires affect our external actions. Coveting steals joy, but goodwill brings life. When we bless others from the heart, we become vessels of God’s peace—and in doing so, we find our own contentment. Howard have you ever heard somewhere in the Bible a scripture that says “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Oh, this is found in Matthew 22:39.

Howard B. Becker: Oh yah Pastor Bruce, I certainly remember hearing that verse!

I also remember hearing that same loving advice in Leviticus 19:18;

“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.”

It’s amazing to realize how long this loving advice has been with us. It’s equally amazing to realize that so many have ignored it, to their own great detriment.

So here I’d like to suggest that teachers address the harm that lack of goodwill toward others causes, by asking their students these questions:
Do you think that coveting what others possess and maintaining goodwill for them are compatible within a person’s own mind and heart?
Do you think that coveting what others possess, whether it be their physical possessions, accomplishments or status, is purely self-serving?
Do you think that self-serving thoughts and selfish feelings act as parasites, nibbling away at any remaining goodwill for others existing within us?
Are there similarities between being covetous, envious and greedy?
What kind of heart and mind would you expect to exist with a person who is devoid of having goodwill toward others?

Here is an Old Testament Bible verse that teachers might wish to share with their students here:

“That which the palmerworm hath left hast the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten, and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.”

What are your thoughts here Pastor Bruce?

Pastor Bruce: 5. Howard, Coveting corrodes the soul. It turns admiration into envy and gratitude into greed. Such thoughts isolate us from others and from God. Without goodwill, a heart becomes hard, self-absorbed, and spiritually dry. Aspiration uplifts and inspires; coveting drags down both self and community.

Howard B. Becker: Thank you, Pastor, you are proclaiming the Wisdom of the Ages!

And so here, a teacher might continue their classroom discussion by asking these questions:
Is it always easy for us to recognize covetous thoughts and feelings?

When recognized, is it always easy for us to turn away from them, and leave them behind?
Do you think that maintaining goodwill towards others takes introspection, self-reflection and change of course at times?
Do you think that focusing on maintaining goodwill towards others leads to a happier and more fulfilling life?
Do you think that maintaining goodwill towards others yields benefits to the secular society around us?
Do you think that maintaining and promoting Goodwill towards others can be transformative?
And if so, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, what do you think it takes for a caterpillar to turn into a Butterfly?

What are your thoughts about this Pastor Bruce?

Pastor Bruce: 6. Covetousness, envy, and greed are spiritual cousins that weaken our character. They darken the soul and make gratitude impossible. Goodwill, on the other hand, refreshes the heart and uplifts others. It builds community and contrasts sharply with the self-centeredness often seen in secular culture—making Christ’s love visible through our lives.

Howard B. Becker: Wonderfully said Pastor Bruce.
And so, with this in mind I’d like to suggest that a teacher conclude this discussion about covetousness on a High note, by asking these questions:

What is the difference between aspiring to gain what others have achieved, and coveting to possess what they have?
Do you think that nurturing goodwill towards others will help us find ways to improve our own mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing?

Do you think those improvements will yield benefits to the secular world around us?
Do you think the way forward in life is best served by our efforts to love others as we would wish to be loved ourselves?
And, for our Good and for the Good of all around us, do you think there are any other Values we should hold in Higher esteem in life than these?

What do you think Pastor Bruce?

Pastor Bruce: 7. Howard, When students understand the 10th Commandment, they may see that goodwill is more than kindness—it’s a catalyst for change. It fuels empathy, integrity, and creativity in solving real-world problems. When we live beyond self-interest, the return is a life rich in peace, purpose, and unity. Furthermore Howard, in Matthew 7:12 we have great instructions for us to follow: The Scriptures say: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

Howard B. Becker: Beautifully said Pastor Bruce, thank you!

At this point teachers will have run their course about discussing the meaning and implications of the Ten Commandments.

Students and teachers might then let out a collective Whew, or Yay!

Then it’s back to the easy stuff, like, math, history, English, social studies, and the like!
Hopefully, students will take many of the concepts they’ve discussed about the Ten Commandments with them.
Nevertheless, I think we can all agree that discussing these ethical, moral and spiritual principles is not always comfortable. And yet, with persistence, discipline and goodwill, our public-school teachers will have achieved the goal of addressing them without violating the First Amendment of our Constitution.

By doing so they will have allowed their students to explore ancient and timeless concepts that deeply affect their mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

That curriculum is meant to serve for their benefit, and for the benefit the entire secular world around them.

Why would anyone object to offering our public-school students this Golden opportunity?
What legal grounds would any opponents try to use to make their objections stick?
And why would any, one, particular, religion attempt to violate the First Amendment of our Constitution by overzealously promoting their own exclusivity?

Why would they give opponents the legal ground they need to defeat our Opportunity to have these discussions in public schools?

I think it’s fair to say that public school teachers are some of the most passionate and compassionate people in our country. When it comes to promoting the wellbeing of our country's youth, they are deeply committed to bringing out the very best within them.  

Allowing our public-school teachers to use their passion and compassion, along with their creativity to reach the minds and hearts of our public-school students through this curriculum fits perfectly with their heartfelt mission. Allowing them to do so without violating the First Amendment of our Constitution is crucial for their ongoing success.

Now, let’s all work together to allow this curriculum to be offered to our public-school students. For many of them, it may act as a welcome reinforcement for what they have been taught since childhood. For others it may be the only place where they will be able to discuss these concepts in a setting that allows them to honestly and sincerely express their questions, thoughts and feelings.

This curriculum presents an invaluable Opportunity for our students to explore ancient and timeless Principles that greatly affect their mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. We should never treat that Opportunity lightly, for it affects the wellbeing of our entire American society.

After all, we are all really in the same boat!
Let’s row together with the Wind together, and not against it!

Here is one of my favorite Old Testament Bible verses Pastor Bruce:

“There is a River, the Streams whereof shall make Glad the City of God, the Holy Place of the Tabernacles of the Most High.” - Psalms 46:4

I think it’s time we all join together in goodwill, and take a deep look at what we will find in the midst of “the Tabernacles of the Most High”, don’t you think so Pastor Bruce?

Pastor Bruce: 8. Yes, it is time we all row together in the same direction. Offering students the opportunity to explore moral wisdom through the Ten Commandments—without promoting specific theology—is not only constitutional, it’s compassionate. This curriculum nurtures hearts and minds, planting seeds of discernment, peace, and purpose. Truth spoken in love uplifts all of society.

Howard B. Becker: Well said sir!

Do you think that because He Loves us, and only wants the very best for each, and every one of us, this is why in John 14:15 Jesus so clearly proclaims:

“If you love Me, keep My Commandments.”

Pastor Bruce: 9. Thank you, Howard, for sharing your thoughts with us about the importance of teaching the Ten Commandments in public schools. It's clear that their meaning and implications has so much to offer to our students, and to our secular society at large.

Your approach certainly acts to plant seeds, while staying within the bounds of the First Amendment of our Constitution. Teaching these timeless concepts in the manner you’ve suggested should help all concerned, while offending none.

For those who want to move deeper into these ideas, Howard’s book, The Spiritual Meaning of Scripture, offers a great place to start. You can find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or at your favorite bookstore.

His website, TheSpiritualMeaningofSpriture.com offers innumerable background details, contains revealing blogs, and additional podcast interviews about the incomparable benefits of teaching the Ten Commandments in public schools. It also provides a free download of the first two chapters of his book. You will find a wealth of valuable information there.

I'm excited about continuing this conversation on teaching the Ten Commandments in public schools!

Dear audience, you do not want to miss listening to this entire series!

Howard B. Becker: Pastor Bruce, I’d like to mention one last thing before we end today’s podcast;
For those who don’t yet know him, Dr. Bruce Oliver is the founder and director of Bruce Oliver Ministries. He is the popular host of Talks For Christ - formerly Abundant Living Podcasts. Bruce has pastored churches from Texas to Georgia, his experience is vast, and his ministry is truly inspiring. Pastor Bruce, thank you for all you do!