GRossi,
Apologies for taking so long respond to this. As you might imagine, we've had our hands full over the last few months.
We did spend some time discussing the benefits of wording the rules in a positive way, rather than a negative one. Our reasons for keeping the format were as follows:
Rules written in a positive way tend to come off as suggestions or guidelines. In a community full of people who
enjoy arguing the point as a hobby, we feel that absolute statements are more effective at efficiently communicating the desired principle.
Secondly, and more importantly, there's good precedent. You'll recall that The Lord himself favoured absolute statements over vaguely positive encouragements.
Can you imagine?
1. I am The LORD your God. Try to only worship me and me alone.
2. Try to worship me as I am. Idols will only confuse you.
3. You should always strive to use the name of The LORD your God in positive and respectful ways.
4. The Sabbath is important guys! You should work six days, but try to remember to take the seventh off!
5. Honour your mother and father (okay, that one was actually pretty easy).
6. You should always strive to protect and respect other people's lives.
7. Always stick to your own husband or wife!
8. Do keep your hands to yourself, and your own belongings.
9. Always strive to tell the truth!
10. Be happy with what you have! If your neighbour has more than you, be happy for them instead of wanting what they have!
I like the intent behind your suggestion, and I wanted to let you know that we had considered it, but we decided to go for a more absolute and biblically precedented approach.
