We have to remember that the Mr. Ratzinger's world-view is shaped by his experience of viewing traffic through the windshield of a 1999 Volkswagen Golf.
I couldn't help chuckling at this suggestion:
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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."
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I just hope they are not closing their eyes and using their rosary beads for this.
I think the 10 rules are more or less sensible, but I am surprised that they call them "ten commandments." It really trivializes God's Decalogue. It's hard for me to reconcile the image of thunder and smoke on Mt. Sinai with rules for the road. It would seem that the original 10 commandments would be sufficient to inform our conduct anyway. Maybe the Vatican should take a look at the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
Number 2 seems kind of weird. I'm all for give and take in the interest of letting traffic flow, but communion? I'm not ready for that. Some of those people out there do not know how to "discern" anything. I say we should be more for closed communion here.
Number 7 seems OK if we are talking about making responsible parties support accident victims, and if we are talking about charity to the unfortunate. But if he's talking about calling for universal support, I'm not with him.
Number 8 seems to be cart before the horse. What is the "liberating experience of forgiveness" without a change of heart? Often the guilty motorists and victims are "brought together", but the venue is in court.
From the article:
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"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.
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