Why is this even happening? The argument is “the laws of our nation are based on the ten commandments.” Really? Let’s have a look at one through three:

1. I AM THE LORD THY GOD, THOU SHALT NOT HAVE strange gods BEFORE ME.
2. THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN.
3. REMEMBER THOU KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY.

Now, I don’t really see anywhere in the local, state, or federal laws of this country that uphold these commandments. Also, keep in mind that these laws (for the Old Testament Jews) weren’t suggestions — they were the law. Punishable, in many circumstances, by death.

The founding fathers of this country were deists. That much is in the history books. Perhaps the law is loosely based around commandments 4-10, but that’s it. Pressing this any further begins to blur the line between the church and state, and even the Puritans, religious zealots that they were, were trying to avoid to this very thing when they left Britain for the colonies.

Posted on 23 August 2003