(click on ads for more details)

The Ten Commandments as Civil Law by George Baumler (9-10-01) The Ten Commandments are the traditional religious laws of Christians and Jews around the world, and there are some who would like to see all of the commandments enacted as statutes. Many of our laws are based on the Ten Commandments or on variations of them. Laws against murder, theft, adultery and fraud are some examples of laws that those who believe we should adopt the entire ten as the law of the land often cite. There are other commandments that would present some difficulty enacting into law for constitutional reasons and others for practical reasons. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors goods” comes to mind as an example of a difficult commandment to enact into law. The entire socialist movement is based on violating that very commandment, and rest assured no liberal democrat would vote for it. “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before me” runs contrary to the first amendment clause prohibiting the establishment or free practice of religion. Taking the Lord’s name in vain displays a lack of eloquence but hardly seems like a matter for the police and courts. “Honor thy father.” Nearly every teenager in the country would be in violation of this commandment unless one thinks sneering at the “old man” somehow honors him, and what would be the penalty for infractions? The biblical punishments such as stoning or exile seem a tad harsh. “Keep holy the Lord’s day.” Which Sabbath, Christian or Jewish and there’s that troublesome non-establishment clause again? As a matter of law how would holy be defined and be constitutional at the same time? If the Ten Commandments were made law, would the nation become an obedient to the Lord Christian nation? Would it be a free nation? The Ten Commandments are an essential part of the faith of countless fine people, who see these religious laws as moral guideposts suitable for guiding a nation. The objectionable part in a free country is in enacting and enforcing the Ten Commandments as law and as a practical matter it would mean the end of freedom. Trying to convince people to adhere to the Ten Commandments is well within the bounds of a free country and free practice of religion; but coercing obedience to the Ten Commandments as a matter of law would require a religious police state.