Advocacy & Safety - Vatican's 10 Commandments for drivers

Perhaps the Pope is considering cycling?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070619/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_road_rage

Note that the third commandment might be interpreted to discourage 'bent riders.

Hey Mark, I was just about to post something about this, but you beat me to it!

I particularly like the first two and the last two commandments; let's hope people get the message.



1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.

"1.2 million people die each year on the roads"

That's about half the number of folks that die from AIDS each year.
Where's Bono?

Cool!

I am no longer active or affiliated with the religion of my birth and upbringing for the stereotypical reasons. Every once in a while, however, the Roman Catholic Church reminds me that they have clergy who actually try to apply moral principles to modern life in a practical, reasonable, and humane way. It's a pleasant surprise in this day and age. :)

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.


This pretty much covers it, for me.

This pretty much covers it, for me.

That's the one I liked too.

I am no longer active or affiliated with the religion of my birth and upbringing for the stereotypical reasons. Every once in a while, however, the Roman Catholic Church reminds me that they have clergy who actually try to apply moral principles to modern life in a practical, reasonable, and humane way. It's a pleasant surprise in this day and age. :)

I could not have put it better myself.

Hey Mark, I was just about to post something about this, but you beat me to it!

I particularly like the first two and the last two commandments; let's hope people get the message.



1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others. I think the motorists should come up with their own commandments in their own forum, and we should focus on cyclist commandments in this forum. But if you can revise it to apply equally to all road users (which it's pretty close to doing) who act as drivers, including cyclists as well as motorists, then I think it would be appropriate here.

I am no longer active or affiliated with the religion of my birth and upbringing for the stereotypical reasons. Every once in a while, however, the Roman Catholic Church reminds me that they have clergy who actually try to apply moral principles to modern life in a practical, reasonable, and humane way. It's a pleasant surprise in this day and age. :)
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. I wouldn't get too excited.

Vatican's 10 Commandments for drivers
By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press Writer
Tue Jun 19, 8:40 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070619/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_road_rage

The Vatican on Tuesday issued a set of "Ten Commandments" for drivers, telling motorists not to kill, not to drink and drive, and to help fellow travelers in case of accidents.

An unusual document from the Vatican's office for migrants and itinerant people also warned that cars can be "an occasion of sin" — particularly when they are used for dangerous passing or for prostitution.

It warned about the effects of road rage, saying driving can bring out "primitive" behavior in motorists, including "impoliteness, rude gestures, cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility or deliberate infringement of the highway code."

It urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, drive with a moral sense, and to pray when behind the wheel.

Cardinal Renato Martino, who heads the office, told a news conference that the Vatican felt it necessary to address the pastoral needs of motorists because driving had become such a big part of contemporary life.

He noted that the Bible was full of people on the move, including Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus — and that his office is tasked with dealing with all "itinerant" people — including refugees, prostitutes, truck drivers and the homeless.

"We know that as a consequence of transgressions and negligence, 1.2 million people die each year on the roads," Martino said. "That's a sad reality, and at the same time, a great challenge for society and the church."

The document, "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road," extols the benefits of driving — family outings, getting the sick to the hospital, allowing people to see other cultures.

But it laments a host of ills associated with automobiles: drivers use their cars to show off; driving "provides an easy opportunity to dominate others" by speeding; drivers can kill themselves and others if they don't get their cars regular tuneups, if they drink, use drugs or fall asleep at the wheel.

It also pointed the finger at traffic problems particular to Rome: "Danger also derives from city cars, which are driven by youngsters and adults who do not have (full) driving licenses, and the reckless use of motorbikes and motorcycles."

It called for drivers to obey speed limits and to exercise a host of Christian virtues: charity to fellow drivers, prudence on the roads, hope of arriving safely and justice in the event of crashes.

And it suggested prayer might come in handy — making the sign of the cross before starting off and saying the rosary along the way. The rosary was particularly well suited to recitation by all in the car since its "rhythm and gentle repetition does not distract the driver's attention."

The document is intended for bishops conferences around the world, and as such offered recommendations for their pastoral workers, including setting up chapels along motorways and having "periodic celebration of liturgies" at major road hubs, truck stops and restaurants.

The "Drivers' Ten Commandments," as listed by the document, are:

1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.

That's pretty cool. I wish the Drivers' 10 commandments would fit on a bumper-sticker.

It could, but you'd have to be tailgating awfully close to read it!;)

I'm OK with everything except No. 8.

It will be very hard to find forgiveness for the driver that swipes me because they were too busy with the 'phone.

Ed

I'd like to see 9 and 10 observed by motorists.

One of those should've been: Thou Shalt ride your bike for trips less than 5 miles where you don't need to carry anything heavy or bulky.

The Vatican still uses the word "accident"? Someone didn't get the memo...

and here is the bottom line:
"Cars tend to bring out the 'primitive' side of human beings, thereby producing rather unpleasant results," the document said.

It appealed to what it called the "noble tendencies" of the human spirit, urging responsibility and self-control to prevent the "psychological regression" often associated with driving.

I'm OK with everything except No. 8.

It will be very hard to find forgiveness for the driver that swipes me because they were too busy with the 'phone.

Ed

Resentment is the poison we drink ourselves hoping the other guy will die.

Resentment is the poison we drink ourselves hoping the other guy will die.

That sounds good in theory.
But there must be a real evolutionary advantage to why we mull and stew, elsewise it would never have come into being.

That sounds good in theory.
But there must be a real evolutionary advantage to why we mull and stew, elsewise it would never have come into being.
Resentment allowed us to summon up the necessary aggression to protect our territory and women. In a primitive society, a "modern laid back SoCal or NorCal Hippie dude" (Blatant stereotype, I know!), would be without territory or women because the nastier neighbors will have swiped his women and run him off his territory.;)

Resentment allowed us to summon up the necessary aggression to protect our territory and women. In a primitive society, a "modern laid back SoCal or NorCal Hippie dude" (Blatant stereotype, I know!), would be without territory or women because the nastier neighbors will have swiped his women and run him off his territory.;)

And things are different now?

I hate to break it to ya Tom but cali hippie dudes believe in the second amendment too

I hate to break it to ya Tom but cali hippie dudes believe in the second amendment too
I meant the totally laid back ones, Randya!:p

I'm OK with everything except No. 8.

It will be very hard to find forgiveness for the driver that swipes me because they were too busy with the 'phone.

Ed

That's really the challenge that's at the very core of most organized religions. The challenge to forgive those who have wronged you and not resort to hatred and/or violence.

"Live and let live"
"Turn the other cheek"
"Love thy neighbor as thyself"
"Que sera, sera (What will be, will be)"

or my own take on it: "Whatever happens, happens"

I'm a born-Jewish nonbeliever, but sometimes that particular church just impresses the heck out of me.
Obviously, they need to proseyltize in Utah some!

I was thinking about this last night and it occurred to me that this is just the reaction of a German, who probably learned to drive on the civilized autobahn, to the craziness of Roman drivers!

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

Personally I like this one the most. To me, the would seem to indicate that owning hummers, 'burbans, high dollar sports cars, and the like when you don't need them is wrong.

"1.2 million people die each year on the roads"

That's about half the number of folks that die from AIDS each year.
Where's Bono?
The vatican could do more to save lives if they said it was okay to use condoms.

That sounds good in theory.
But there must be a real evolutionary advantage to why we mull and stew, elsewise it would never have come into being.


"An eye for an eye" often leads to unstable snowballing of violence.

Having only a passive, forgiving, "golden rule" response to offer increases one's vulnerability to predatory agents.

Game theory suggests that the optimal strategy is the tit-for-tat rule. Forgive on the first offense, retalliate on the second and later offenses. Communicate with others to identify dangerous agents by their history.

Well I'm still not convinced about the whole forgiveness thing. Not that I would necessarily seek revenge and inevitable escalation. I can even persuade myself to "let it lie" to preserve the inner calm and outward civility, but true forgiveness... to just accept what happens? It's fine in theory, but surely each individual has a threshhold for which things would become unforgivable?


P.S. I am a very stout non believer in every religion or faith, I think they are silly - I'll go no further on this subject as it's not the place :)

Cheers,

Ed

"1.2 million people die each year on the roads"

That's about half the number of folks that die from AIDS each year.
Where's Bono?

Reminds me of a joke. U2 was performing in Europe when Bono asked the crowd to be silent. He then began clapping his hands together at regular intervals and said, "every time I clap my hands, another child dies in Africa". Then a guy in the front row yells out, "then stop clapping your hands @sshole!".

So are violations of the commandments venial or mortal sins? What is the penance? 20 "Hail Marins?"

Mea Campy, Mea Campy, Mea grandissima Campy.

So are violations of the commandments venial or mortal sins? What is the penance? 20 "Hail Marins?"

Mea Campy, Mea Campy, Mea grandissima Campy.
The first offense is a penance of riding a double century on a Huffy Mountainbike with out of round wheels, knobbie tires that are half flat and no saddle and stuck in 18th gear, uphill all the way at 5.6% grade and a headwind, and only 17 hrs to complete it!:p