Are the Ten Commandments the "Basis for our Laws"?

From time to time, I hear someone - usually a conservative Christian - make the claim that the Ten Commandments should be displayed in schools and government buildings, since "that's what all our laws are based on".  That brings to mind a question - Is that true, and, if so, is it right?  Are these ten statements worthy as the basis for society's norms?

As usual when I'm pondering some deep moral issue, I turn to the foremost expert on the subject:

 



 

With all due respect to George, I think this subject merits a bit more discussion.  Let's break down the list, and see which, if any, are relevant to our lives today.  Should these commandments also be laws - should the state command our obedience to them?


ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

OK, this one is blatantly unconstitutional.  The constitution clearly states that no particular religion may receive preferential treatment, so this one doesn't serve as the basis for our laws.  Should it?  Not from my perspective - why should we care what, if any, god you worship.  One down, nine to go!

 

 TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

This one is just stupid!  If this were the law, all art would be illegal - even the crucifix seen in virtually every Christian church would be reason for the arrest and prosecution of church leaders.  I have a picture in my mind of a swat team crashing through the doors to churches, smashing statues, breaking stained glass windows, and hauling pastors out in handcuffs.  Can you picture the black market value of the few remaining works of art?  This is clearly one of those commandments in the bible that are just plain ignored by just about everybody.  This is not a basis for any of our laws, nor should it be.

I should point out,  however, that when the right wing pushes for laws against flag burning they are breaking the spirit of this commandment - the flag becomes an image they are worshiping.

 

 THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'

Easy - a clear violation of free speech - it seems like this is (correctly) directly contradicted by our constitution.

 

 FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'

Here we have one that actually has influenced our laws - many states and localities have laws banning drinking on Sunday.  It used to be common to mandate the closing of auto dealerships on Sunday, although that is starting to change. 

Even though this commandment may have caused the creation of a law, it's not rational - why should my Sabbath be protected, while those of another religion are not?  What if I work six days per week - shouldn't I be able to go shop for a car on my day off?  Are police and fire fighters doomed to Hell, since they work every day of the week?

How do we keep this day holy, anyway?  Who decides if my activities are providing the proper amount of respect to the Sabbath?  No - this commandment should be scrapped, as well.

 

 FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'

This one sounds great, but what if your parents are awful, evil people?  Should we honor them just because of an accident of birth?  For that matter, even if your parents are perfectly wonderful folks, why should the government stick its nose into how we interact?  If you're adopted, do you honor your birth parents or your adoptive parents?  No, this one doesn't deserve the force of law.  Give your parents  - and everyone else, for that matter - the respect they deserve.

 

 SIX: 'You shall not murder.'

OK, we're halfway through the list, and I finally found one that deserves to be called a commandment.

Of course, as valid as this may be, it's kind of unnecessary, isn't it?  I mean, EVERY country has a law against murder, right?  And how about all the state-sanctioned killing - executions, wars, self-defense - aren't those violations of the commandment?  I guess you can get around it by saying it's not murder to execute a murderer, but how about those who are wrongly convicted, mentally handicapped, or mentally ill - is it OK to kill them?

Regardless, this is the first of the list that legitimately belongs in our laws, so we'll call this a win for the commandments.

 

 SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'

I agree - if you're married, you shouldn't have sex with someone else.  Should it be a law?  No,  this is a private issue between adults.  It's a little slimy to cheat on your spouse, but I don't want the police involved.

 

 EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'

We're on a roll now - this is the second in the list that belongs in our legal system.  Legally, morally, and in every other way, it's wrong to take something that belongs to another, and I'm fine with the full power and authority of the government backing it up.

 

 NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'

I can get on board with this one.  I don't think lying should be against the law, but lying in court certainly should be (and is).  To the best of my knowledge, every state has laws against perjury, and making false statements to police can also land you in hot water, so I'd have to say this commandment has been written into our laws.

 

 TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'

Sorry, I can't get on board with this one.  I'd like to say I'm not envious of other's relationships or possessions, but that would be a lie (breaking a commandment, but not the law).  It would be nice if we could all appreciate what we have and not make ourselves crazy with envy over the things we don't have, but our laws shouldn't reflect that.  How would you even enforce this, anyway?  No, the government needs to stay out of my mind - if I act on my envy by stealing my neighbor's ox, arrest me.  Leave me alone if I just wish I had one like it!

 So that's the list.  I'm a little more charitable than George Carlin - I can live with three of them posted on the wall of the courthouse, but is that necessary?  Are we really going to improve our lives if everywhere you look there's a placard on which is printed:

1. Do not Murder
2. Do not Steal
3. Do not Commit Perjury

As for the Ten Commandments, I don't think they're worth the paper they're printed on (or stone they're etched into) - four of them are bad ideas, actively contrary to our country's founding principles, and three are general moral guidelines that may or may not make sense, depending on your particular circumstances.  Only three are worthy of being codified into law, and all of those would be in the law anyway, even if they were left out of the list.  If more Christians actually looked at the list, fewer of them would be in favor of tacking this junk up on the wall.

If we really want moral guidelines (not laws!) to help improve our behavior, why don't we tear up this bunch of drivel, and create a list that actually helps improve our lives.  Here's my take, just off the top of my head:

1. Respect the rights of others to believe as they wish.  Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts and beliefs.  You don't have to respect those beliefs - in fact, if they're evil or cause damage to others, you should speak out against them.  They're still entitled to believe what they wish.
2. Don't treat things as though they're more important than people.  Symbols - flags or statues - are just representations of the important stuff.  Nothing is hurt if they aren't universally revered to the degree you'd like.
3. Don't use language that denigrates others.  Racist, homophobic, vulgar, or discriminatory language should be eliminated from your vocabulary.  Make your point with reason - if you can't, maybe your point doesn't deserve to be defended.
4. Take time to be with the ones who are important in your life.  Whether it's family, friends, or some organization with which you're affiliated, do something on a regular basis to make a connection with others.  If you're too busy for once a week, make it once a month.  If you're too far away, call, email, or write a letter.
5. Do something for the next generation.  If you don't have kids, you may think you're off the hook on this one, but you can still do your best to help a child - volunteer to read to kids, donate to children's charities, or just do what you can.  Heck, just vote consistently in favor of school bond issues in your community. 
6. Life is important, respect it.  Support the right to a less painful, dignified end of life for everyone.  Support a woman's right to control her own body.  Eliminate capital punishment.
7. Be true to your word.  Don't lie.  Don't cheat.  In both personal and business interactions, be the type of person that others may depend on.  Don't lie, cheat, or sneak around - be open and honest in all your dealings.
8. Be generous.  If you're fortunate enough to have a lot, help others.  That doesn't mean you give them things - give advice or encouragement.  Someone else succeeding won't diminish your accomplishments.
9. Don't be cruel.  Don't take pleasure in others' pain.  Don't kick the dog (or the child). 
10. Leave behind a positive legacy.  Some of us don't believe in Heaven or Hell - when I'm gone, I'll be gone.  Be the person that others miss when you're gone - maybe they'll even tell some great stories about you!  But most of all, try to make sure the world is a little better place for you having been in it.

As I said, I just wrote this list off the top of my head - I'm certain they could be improved (but I think they compare pretty favorably with the original ten).  Of course, they're not commandments (I don't really have the authority to command obedience by anything but my dogs, and they're not always cooperative).  I'd call these The Ten Suggestions.  Feel free to follow them or not - there's absolutely no reward in the afterlife, but you may find they make your time here on Earth a bit more pleasant.