The last of the 10 Commandments warns: “Thou shalt not covet . . ..” It then lists a number of things thou shalt not covet: wives, houses, lands, servants, oxen, donkeys, or anything else that belongs to others. (Deuteronomy 5:21).

This command not to covet is surely all inclusive enough to include Greenland. Therefore, I condemn Trump and MAGA for trying to coerce Denmark and Greenland into selling Greenland to the United States.

Furthermore, the coercion of Denmark and Greenland by the United States is especially evil because they are allies in NATO! The United States is, therefore, sworn to defend Denmark and Greenland against coercion in any form—whether economic or military.

As James (the brother of Jesus) explains, coveting anything is forbidden because it is the root cause of violence and wars:

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. (James 4:1-2)

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Why is it wrong to covet?

Why does coveting lead to murder, quarreling and fighting?

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For related ideas, please read my blogs “How Do We Build a Civilization that Is Good—That Is Very Good?” and “The Flaw of Fascists and Fascism”.