Psychologist and former teacher Urban (Life’s Greatest Lessons
) offers a new set of Ten Commandments, which he hopes will appeal to people of all faiths. Drawn from Christian scriptures, they include five things to avoid, e.g., “Don’t be seduced by popular culture,” but learn to think for yourself; “Don’t fall in love with money and possessions”; and “Don’t judge other people,” recognizing that pride is at the root of negative behaviors. He also offers five positive commands, including “Keep a positive outlook on life,” “Have impeccable integrity” and “Help those in need.” Perhaps out of his desire to find unity among people of any faith or no faith, Urban finds the “central message” of the scripture in the Bible’s more general commands to “love God, be good, do good, and love others.” His ideas on avoiding judging seem to encompass critical thinking as well. For example, those who oppose Norman Vincent Peale’s Power of Positive Thinking are described as “self-righteous, judgmental fundamentalists.” While Urban’s easy-to-read book is full of both common and uncommon sense, ultimately it lacks depth, and its goal to use scripture to appeal to every possible audience may backfire. (Sept. 18)
