Youngsters' modern take on the Ten Commandments
Posted on 15 July 2011
Their suggestions touch on anything from inter-personal relationships to the environmental problems facing the world.
The Ten Commandments for the 21st Century (10C for 21C) competition was organised as part of York’s inaugural Festival of Ideas to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.
Children aged from five to sixteen submitted a total of more than 250 entries using a range of media from ancient to modern including large collages, animated Powerpoint, Blackberry, email screens, scrolls, hand-painted artwork and calligraphy.
The entries covered an impressive range of subjects from energy and environment (‘Don’t build nuclear power stations in places that might have earthquakes or tsunamis’) to role models (‘Do not idolise people or worship celebrities, be your own person’).
They range from fairness (‘Try to pay a fair price for your items so that everyone gets a fair wage for the work they do’) to living in a digital world (‘Technology is very useful but is not to be worshipped’).
The winners in the three age groups were: Freddie Buchanan, aged seven, a pupil at Lord Deramore’s School, Heslington; Ellie Parker, aged 12, a Selby High School pupil, and Niamh
Devlin (13-16), aged 14, a pupil at The Mount School, York.
The competition clearly struck a chord and gave children the opportunity to express their ideas about what ought to matter in society
Professor Jane Moody
The Centre for the Study of Christianity & Culture, which is based in the Humanities Research Centre at the University of York, designed the competition.
The Director of the Humanities Research Centre, Professor Jane Moody, said: “The competition clearly struck a chord and gave children the opportunity to express their ideas about what ought to matter in society. The entries were ingenious and thought-provoking. Niamh Devlin, the winner in the 13-16 age group, even suggested that the 10 commandments should be printed on banknotes to make them visible to everyone!”
To see a selection of entries, go to www.christianityandculture.org.uk/commandments
The judges were: Steve Hughes, Managing Editor of The Press, York; Dr David Efird, of the Department of Philosophy, University of York; Rev Jane Nattrass, Vicar of the City Centre Churches, York and Louise Hampson, Development Officer, The Centre for the Study of Christianity & Culture.
Steve Hughes said: "I was very impressed with both the number and quality of entries. It was nice to see how many children had given some real thought to the notion of consideration of others and the part we could all play in creating a better society."
Jane Nattrass added: "The young people were creative in their thinking. It was good to see pleas for a caring, sharing world alongside commandments for individual happiness."
The competition was generously supported by Blackwells of York and HMV York who supplied the prizes. Entries are on display in the foyer of the Humanities Research Centre (open Monday – Friday, 9am – 6pm) and on the Christianity and Culture website www.christianityandculture.org.uk/commandments
Notes to editors:
- Some of the Ten Commandments highlights:
Media morality
Don’t snog the wrong person and if you do, don’t try and cover it up with a super-injunction. It will never work and doesn’t help anyone (except the newspapers)
Parents
Honour your mum and dad by bringing them a cup of tea every morning
Role models
Do not idolise people or worship celebrities, be your own person
Energy and the environment
Don’t build nuclear power stations in places that might have earthquakes or tsunamis
Don’t leave the bathroom light on (The world’s running out of power)
Respect the environment in which you live
Protect wildlife to prevent extinction
Do not cut down trees
Fairness
Always be honest (even when playing football)
Don’t gloat when you win, don’t sulk when you lose
Try to pay a fair price for your items so that everyone gets a fair wage for the work they do
The law has no exceptions. Abide it
Don’t steal cars
Democracy
Every country should have an elected government or ruler [this commandment appears on a powerpoint slide featuring the Queen wearing an England football shirt!]
Education
Make the most of your schooling, there are plenty of kids in the world who don’t get any
Health
You should put as much money as possible into health research
Aim to live as a healthy person and not to eat lots of junk food
No underage sex or teenage pregnancies
Regularly do exercise
Technology and living in a digital world
Technology is very useful but is not to be worshipped
Do not discriminate against anyone, whether it is in person or in cyberspace
Thou shalt not cyberbully
Living in a global society
Richer countries should give money and support to poorer countries
Other
Appreciate the things that make us unique
Do not take things for granted, appreciate things you have because one day they may be gone
Make time to be happy
Don't drink too much beer
Don't be mean or accept meanness
Know that nothing can last forever, and that everything, including life, must come to an end
Don’t work all the time. Take some time off to enjoy the world around you
Always be committed to life
Keep in contact with those you love
Keep the weekend as a time for peace
- For more information see www.christianityandculture.org.uk/
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