The Ten Commandments: God's rules for us to live by

The Ten Commandments:God's rules for us to live by
EDITOR:
It seems Alan Dershowitz, whose column ran in the Sept. 22 Vindicator, is looking for ways to discount the importance of the Ten Commandments in American life. Behind and throughout each of these commands is the God who desires to protect the people set aside for Himself. Why shouldn't He be jealous-desirous that the people He loves not have affection for one other than Himself?
The portion of text referring to the visitation of the iniquity of the fathers upon future generations is not a condemnation of innocent children but the toll exacted on younger generations because of their elders' sinful choices.
God allows us to experience the consequences of others' evil decisions. Perhaps we should keep this in mind when we choose to participate in wrongdoing.
Regarding setting aside a day of rest implies just that -- a day that the demands of employment are disregarded so that we can freely worship.
Not having a day to unwind because we can't decide which one is ludicrous. A graven image is a man-made object that supercedes the maker of mankind. It can be anything that takes the place of God in our lives, not relegated to statues only.
Adultery is the betrayal of the marriage vow of forsaking all others -- no matter who the others may be, married or not. That the idea of adultery is seriously entertained is a breaking of this command.
Murder is more than the deliberate, selfish act of taking another's life. It's also the very idea to do so. Murder can be committed in our hearts, mouths and hands. Many people are killed through malicious gossip, disrespect and indifference.
It's ironic that we would choose to not fully understand God's intentions in setting these Ten Commandments before man and profoundly sad that the very rules and promises God delivered to Moses for the preservation of individuals and society are disdained as not being essential to American life.
MARCELLA McCOMBS
Canfield
System coddles criminals
EDITOR:
Again I find myself writing another useless letter. Why I do not know -- maybe it helps to release some of my frustration. This letter pertains to my sister and niece, Susan and Lisa Clemente, who were brutally murdered by Steve Vrabel (who is on death row) over 14 years ago. My family and I have felt frustration again and again when it comes to our justice system. However there is nothing that can be done about it; we just sit back and let the criminals always have the rights.
Over and over I have written about the criminals having better rights than the victims, which I will never be able to understand. Our society and the system are more worried about these idiots and their rights than they are about the true victims of crimes. I have felt this for so long due to the fact that my family has been through many hearings, a trial and when we think that he is done with his many appeals and that he will be put to death, now the Supreme Court feels that he needs a competency hearing. Who knows how long this will take and how long he will again play his mind games.
We have been through enough over the years. When will it end? We truly will never forget. We just want a little closure.
LYDIA CLEMENTE KOTOUCH
Poland
Making the right call
EDITOR:
Three cheers for U.S. District Judge Lee West who attempted to block the telemarketing do-not-call list from being signed into law, giving telemarketers the chance to earn an honest living.
In a sinking economy that has already claimed millions of jobs, how hard can it be to answer the phone and say, "Thank you, I'm not interested," and feel proud you kept another wage-earner on the payroll?
MARTHA CLONIS
Boardman