Thou shalt not turn right on red

The Vatican issues its own rules of the road.

Here, courtesy of the Vatican, are a new set of Ten Commandments Moses could never have imagined:

I. You shall not kill.
II. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
III. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
IV. Be charitable and help your neighbour in need, especially victims of accidents.
V. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
VI. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
VII. Support the families of accident victims.
VIII. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
IX. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
X. Feel responsible towards others.

Here's the original document.

Here's the press release.

A rabbi's response:
The Vatican today released a document on 10 commandments for drivers. Issued from its office for migrants and itinerant people, the document warned about the impact of road rage, saying that driving can bring out “primitive” behavior in motorists. While in principle, says Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, the rules are good for all of us, the fact that it was issued from the Vatican’s office for migrants and itinerant people raises some interesting questions.

From Rabbi Brad Hirschfield:

-- Nothing from the Vatican happens by accident, at least not when it is for public release.

--Why is this document coming from the Vatican’s office for migrants and itinerant people? Do they really believe that this is a problem more germane to migrants and itinerants?

--The use of the word “primitive” is strange. Most migrant and itinerant people are poor and from the third world. This should at least raise some eyebrows.

--In principle, these are great rules for all of us, but they should be disseminated in a way that sends that message most powerfully.

--There is always the challenge of arrogance, in which well-intentioned religionists want to enhance the lives of others by teaching them how to live better. In the extremes we call that a crusade.

Can you tell we sit next to the religion reporter?