Tao Bible - Jeremiah 7:22-24

For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
~ King James version ~

Why do the people think so little of death?
Because the rulers demand too much of life.
Therefore the people take death lightly.
~ from Verse 75 of the Tao Te Ching ~

On the surface, it appears that all God desires is to be loved and honored. But it isn't really that clear cut. He has these commandments -- at least two versions -- that he demands must be followed. The Book of Leviticus is filled with numerous dos and don'ts: what can and cannot be eaten, what can and cannot be worn, and all sorts of social etiquette and relationship rules.

As Lao Tzu points out, when you demand too much of people, you're setting them up to fail. That's why the ancient Taoist sages urged the filling of bellies and the tempering of desires. When the way is made simple, people are more apt not to get lost along the path.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.