A friend was comparing the Ten Commandments to testifying under oath. She was being sarcastic, but this is an argument that I've heard before. So I wanted to respond.

First, it's only on television where people place their hand on a Bible and finish swear to tell the truth, "so help me God." In a real courtroom, the Judge's clerk or deputy asks the witness to raise their right hand. The deputy will say, "Do you affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" The person says yes. That's it. There is no swearing, no "so help me God" that we see on television and in the movies (imagine...something on tv isn't accurate).

Another argument is that our society has adopted the laws in the Ten Commandments through the laws of our country. I find this argument wrong on two levels. First, I think that there is a difference between a law saying that killing is illegal, and a Commandment, allegedly handed down from God, saying, "thou shall not kill" (or face my wrath) and placing it in a government building, even a courthouse where judgments are handed down. Don't get me wrong, those who know know me (all three of you) know that I wear my cross. But what about those who do not?? Why should my beliefs become something they are forced to confront by the government? This country was founded on separation of church and state. While I personally have one set of beliefs, I also believe that I can't force those beliefs on others.

I have discussed the separation of church and state before. I don't see how this comports with the first ten words of the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, andto petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Jefferson discussed the wall of separation between church and state in 1802. This is not a new concept. And adding the Ten Commandments to government buildings and courthouses clearly destroys any wall of separation. It gives the Ten Commandments government legitimacy.

Finally, the Ten Commandments contain "commandments" that this society has never even compenplated adopting as law. For example, judges don't throw people in jail for having other gods before the Christian God, or for taking God's name in vain, or having other images, or working the sabbath. Sometojne is not a criminal for working the sabbath, and it is not a crime to fail to honor one's parents, or to coveting neighbor's house/wife, etc? (Actually, doesn't jealousy make America work? Trying to keep up with the Jonses and their two cars or whatnot? But I digress.) Even things such as committing adultery and lying under oath (false witness) are not "crimes" as we think of them anymore.

So yes, I think that it's wrong to place the Ten Commandments in government buildings, I don't think it's similar to testifying under oath, and I don't think that it's similar to judges enforcing other laws.

My two cents on the issue.