The Ten Commandments in Secular Terms

With the most recent Ten Commandments’ skirmish across America, I wish to fire a volley on behalf of the Decalogue. The Ten Commandments is full of secular value. Thus, “open minded” people should take the time to read this argument. Public School Education, especially related to the notion of Government Studies, would benefit.

This Blog, Ten Commandments Project, has been dedicated in addressing all aspects of the Decalogue in all directions. Both the religious and non-religious value of the Commandments have been addressed. With respect to the United States’ relationship with the Ten Commandments, all one has to do is look toward the founding of the nation.

Historically, the founding of the United States was inspired by the Torah. The Torah, in part, should be recognized a political treatise. It contains tales of leadership, governance, laws and justice.

The Torah, in part, is a tale of a family of tribes along with a mixed multitude of people who collectively fled an oppressive government in order to establish their own government, their own nation.

After their Exodus from Egypt, this group of people embarked on a project of governance. Their new nation, of course, required founding documents and law. The people of this new nation agreed to form a relationship, a covenant, with a deity. Via this deity, the Ten Commandments constituted their founding document.

This construct was the blueprint for the founding of the United States. The people who came to America shared many of the values of those who were at Mt. Sinai and received the Ten Commandments. They sought freedom from an oppressive government as well as freedom to practice their religion. They too, consisted of both colonies and a mixed multitude of people.

With respect to establishing the concept of equal rights, one needs a basis. How does one establish that each Human Being should be afforded equal rights? The answer, in the formation of the United States, was the truth that there was a creator. There was a deity responsible for creating all of humanity. Thus, since all people come from the same place, they should all be treated equally. This very creator was the same deity who transmitted the Ten Commandments to the Children of Israel.

Running down the Ten Commandments, there are more items of secular value.

Why would an authority not want to have an image of oneself made? The answer is simple. Images are subject to being defiled or destroyed. When the nation of Iraq fell, the visual of the toppling of a Sadaam Hussein statute was quite memorable. Thus, by preventing images from being made, the nation prevented the symbolic destruction of authority.

While the sense of worshiping is largely religious, it is also likened to one’s fidelity towards one’s country. While people can fight over a country’s direction, the country’s fundamental principles should be a consensus. With the United States, one can say that all should be united with respect to the concept that citizens should be afforded the opportunity for “life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.”

The notion of using a deity’s name in vain is often misunderstood even within the religious context. The notion ties itself to one’s word and one’s promises. When reduced, this Commandment stands for the proposition that one should be careful as to the promises and commitments that one makes. A person’s “word” has value. When one fails to keep their promises, their “word” can become devalued or meaningless.

With respect to the Sabbath Commandment, the secular value is two-fold. The Commandment expresses that there is an expectation that members of the society commit themselves to labor or productivity for six days of a week. Likewise, it impresses that each and every individual- and working animal- is to be afforded one day off a week.

With respect to honoring one’s parents, this is an acknowledgement that, for a society to function, children have an obligation to their parents.

With respect to the Commandments against murder and stealing, these are common values within all societies. Therefore, further discussion is not necessary.

With respect to the prohibition of adultery, this is a two-fold matter. First, in a society, between spouses, there is the need for respect, dignity and fidelity. Second, the Commandment advances a message to those outside of the marriage; they are to refrain themselves from interfering with other’s matrimony.

The Commandment concerning bearing false witness against one’s neighbor, in a large part, speaks to the need for a functional judicial system. A judicial system must not not only be based upon laws, but also upon truthful evidence.

Finally, the Commandment about coveting is one of a cautionary tale. People often admire what other people possess. For instance, one might like the shoes that someone else is wearing and want them for their own. Coveting is what compels someone to take the shoes the other person rather than simply purchasing a pair for themselves.

In sum, I believe that this Post makes the case for the secular value of the Commandments. If you agree or disagree, I invite your comments.

Be well!!

Please like, follow, share or comment