The Ten Commandments’ Significance To Americans

we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

declaration of independence

the declaration of independence’s powerful line does not happen without mt. sinai and the ten commandments. the united states- being a land of freedom and opportunity- does not exist without those chiseled two tablets.

the ten commandment’s meaning to the united states’ foundation is beyond the words. a nation’s formation based upon ideals and principles is fundamental. the ten commandments was the product how a diverse group of people, after being unyoked from a despotic monarchy, sought to establish their way of life. this was what america confronted. their multitude of colonies were not unlike the children of israel having distinct tribes. the children of israel needed to have established rules of governance in a society with no human king. this would be the american goal. finally, like with the ten commandments, the ultimate authority was established. rights would flow from the creator of the universe who was also the great emancipator of his people.

the ten commandments set precedence on how to establish a legal system which included fairness and equal treatment. just as with the ten commandments, the united states founders sought to protect each individual’s life, property, and afford people the opportunity to enjoy life and recreate. they were to create a society in which parents would have the honor beset upon kings and queens.

dr. kenyn cureton’s article ten commandments: foundation of american society offers a scholarly assessment of this impact. he discusses the place of the ten commandments within american society. “ask any credible historian to identify the primary source behind early legal codes in america, from its settlement to its establishment under the constitution, and doubtless, the answer would be either the ten commandments, specifically, or the old testament law.”

he further noted that “president john quincy adams declared: the law given from sinai was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code; it contained many statutes . . . of universal application-laws essential to the existence of men in society, and most of which have been enacted by every nation which ever professed any code of laws.”

he also reports that “indeed, twelve of the original thirteen colonies adopted the entire decalogue into their civil and criminal laws. while the lone hold-out, rhode Island, did not adopt the first four commandments, they did adopt the last six.”

in sum, the ten commandments reach exceeds the mere words that are placed within the two tablets or text. they represent the concept of a society based upon fairness and justice for all.

be well!!

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