The Three Commandments

There is a large movement in the United States to put the Ten Commandments everywhere. Supporters want them in the public schools, in government buildings at the local, state and federal levels, and they probably would like to get them on money, but there are space concerns so there isn't much lip service paid to that.

As you might have guessed, I say nay. And that is probably what the Supreme Court would say if the matter ever gets that far (it has in the past, but for some reason the issue keeps coming up). The Supreme Court will allow it, but only in the context of other historical documents relating to law.

All that is good in theory, but the Ten Commandments is a religious document, no bones about it. There were written laws around before the Ten Commandments detailing the same laws, and to call it the basis for our legal system is a gross misrepresentation.

Why? Because only three out of ten Commandments are actually illegal: Killing, stealing, and lying (under very specific circumstances)--the rest relate to religious fidelity and religious morals. Lying is the Commandment most frequently broken in modern society, and is usually not illegal, so really only 2.5 Commandments are illegal (in fairness, the translation "bear false witness" is an accurate representation of its legal equivalent).

There is absolutely nothing illegal about worshiping an idol, or hating your parents, or coveting the neighbor's daughter until you need a cold shower. Nothing at all. I can work all day on Sunday, Saturday, or Friday, the Sabbath days for Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, respectively.

Public religious display, even by majority rule, is wrong. There is no logical reason for venerating the Ten Commandments in this way. I suppose if a majority of the citizens advocated "Divine Guidelines for Living" then that would be acceptable. No such thing exists, but say it did, and looked like this:

  1. Remember Zeus, and do not insult his name.
  2. Tuesdays are reserved for fasting and prayer to Zeus.
  3. Respect your neighbor's property, privacy, and person.
  4. Always pay your taxes.
  5. Always wear your seatbelt.
I suppose that would be acceptable, right? After all, number 4 is law, and 3 and 5 are just common sense, right? If 80 percent of the population approved this document for posting in schools, Christian groups would sue to have it removed. Of course, maybe the example doesn't hit home. What if it said Allah, instead of Zeus? Or what if a sixth "Guideline" said,"The story of Jesus of Nazareth is false"? What then?

There is of course the issue of the two different versions of the Commandments, which is divided along Protestant/Catholic lines. But the core problem remains the same: When 75 percent of the Commandments are for religious, or religious moral purposes, this document cannot be portrayed as historical law.

So give it a rest, you Fundies. Christians have the majority, unfortunately, so please stop complaining about the plot to wipe out Christianity. Government must be secular. This is not an issue of representing the people, this is about Church/State separation--and you would feel the same way as I do if you left religion or switched to another one.

The fact that some Christians oppose this action is reason enough to take a second look at your own position. What would you think if the roles were reversed? Wouldn't you fight for the absolute separation of church and state if you lived in Iran?

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