There is a lot in the local news about judge Deweese’s posting of the Ten Commandments. Many of the religious scratch their heads wondering why they are being removed.

1 I am the Lord thy God who have brought thee out of the house of bondage.
2 Thou shalt have no other gods besides me.
3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4 Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
5 Honor thy Father and Mother.
6 Thou shalt not murder.
7 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8 Thou shalt not steal.
9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10 Thou shalt not covet.

Actually it is easy to see when you look at the Commandments why they are such a controversial topic. Only 5 thru 10 offer anything of a moral sense, the other 4 are only of use in religious belief itself.

Those that apply to the population in general have been in existence long before any religion came along and were incorporated, not created, by the religious.

5.Honor thy Father and Mother. Everyone wants to do their parents proud. All children want to live up to those things expected of them and to be praised for it.

6.Thou shalt not murder. This is common sense, as murder would become a vicious cycle of murder and revenge, as it has in the Middle East.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Loyalty to one’s mate insures that the family line continues, and that the children are well taken care of.

8.Thou shalt not steal. Common sense, if you steal you can be expected to be stolen from. Theft of personal property creates a great disturbance in social harmony.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. What value is justice if it can be twisted by lies, and deceit.

10.Thou Shalt not covet. Whereas everyone has innocently wished to have what others might have, carrying out such wishes by taking their property is stealing. This commandment is redundant. No religious believer can say truthfully that they have never admired and desired what some other person was able to save up for and purchase. This one is unenforceable as it would require a form of thought control.

In the end only five seem applicable and usable. The tenth only being enforceable by a thought reading god.

Good solid reasons exist for adopting a set of morals and enforcing them. I think mankind is doing well with the laws which over time have been passed to govern the people. Most are fair and reasonable. Posting all the laws that have been passed to govern all aspects of society would be ridiculous. How much space do the walls in a courtroom have?

Christians should step back a moment and look at the diversity which exists in this nation. There are citizens of many different religions and of no religion who have their rights guaranteed by the laws of this land. To blatantly display a poster asserting that all should obey one religion’s “commandments” is wrong.

There was one comment recently that expresses well what Deweese should do. If his neighbors and existing ordinances permit he should erect his sign with the Ten Commandments on his front lawn. Let him declare his own allegiance to them without asserting that all must obey them.