Why do many people want the Ten Commandments removed from public places?

Question

Is it because it makes them feel guilty? Which of the commandments are they fond of breaking?

Answer 1

Because they can't stand the truth.

Answer 2

Why were they there to begin with? The 10 Commandment were a part of the Mosaic Law Code which only applied to the Jews and those who converted to Judaism. If the majority of the citizens are Christians, why have the 10 Commandments in public places?

Answer 3

Because placing the Ten Commandments in gov't buildings, etc., is an implicit endorsement of the three Abrahamic faiths--specifically Christianity because it places an emphasis on the Ten Commandments that no other religion does. Plus you can tell which group's Ten Commandments are being used by the division of commandments, so it's easy to tell who's putting them up & the endorsement becomes even more specific.

Answer 4

I don't understand it's relevance in our public buildings, particularly government buildings. I whole-heartedly believe in a separation of church and state, but more than that, I believe in the First Amendment which guarantees us all the right to a freedom of religion, not just certain religions. The First Amendment doesn't mean that this is a Christian nation that's nice enough to let the heathens believe what they want, it means that we're all free to believe and worship how we want, if at all. No religion should have the right to monopolize this country.

I don't see the need for the 10 Commandments in governments buildings. "Thou shalt not kill"...correct! It's called murder and it's illegal and punsihable. Why not let the laws of the land speak for themselves and leave the 10 Commandments in church? They're moral guidelines set forth by men of one faith (notice I say man, not God!). They're aren't concrete laws. Our government has worked hard to pass and enforce laws in this country, why should they be shadowed by the rules of a specific faith?

Answer 5

People want the Ten Commandments removed from public property for the same reason that you would probably want Islamic Sharia laws, or the precepts of Buddhism, or monuments to any non-Christian religion removed from public property. In a state where freedom of religion is accorded to the citizenry, and where there is a constitutional separation of Church and State, it is inappropriate for monuments to *any* religion to be displayed on government-owned property.

Answer 6

I break on a regular basis:
- I am the lord thy god. though shalt not have any other gods before me.
- Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

then there are some I am unsure about, but probably break:
-Thou shalt not make for thyself an idol
-Thou shalt not make wrongful use of the name of thy God
-Thou shalt not commit adultery
these are all rather ill defined, but most interpretations I know of are not in line with my life.

then there are a few that are nice suggestions, but seem so vague that nobody can be clearly said to either keep or break them:
-Honor thy Mother and Father
-Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife
-Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.

and then there are a few left I agree are fundamental laws:
-Thou shalt not murder
-Thou shalt not steal
-Thou shalt not bear false witness
these are all part of almost every code of law on the planet, and if you wish to hang those three on a wall, by all means be my guest.

And you know what's interesting? When Steven Colbert asked Lyle Westmoreland (a representative who wanted to hang the ten commandments in Congress) to name the ten commandments, he could only name those last three!

Answer 7

Well I don't mind if you give the Wiccan Rede some equal time, some stuff from the Q'uran, maybe the 4 Noble Truths from Buddhism, the ethical guidelines for Asatru, Hinduism and other Pagan beliefs, Shamanic beliefs, etc. I think you're now running out of space... get the idea?

_()_

Answer 8

It is not at all about guilt. It is about a country evolving and realizing that its populous no longer holds a single faith. Countries like the US and Canada were both founded by Christians and on Christian principals. Things have changed, however, as larger populations holding beliefs that are just as valid as Christianity are growing.

The only "Commandments" that we all have to follow and believe in are those we hire police to enforce...beyond that, we can no longer force others to endure our beliefs just because of "tradition".

Answer 9

Consider the world around you right now. We think nothing at all of "no fault" divorce, sex has become a dirty word, and marriage a complete sham, abuse and violence are common place, children are starving while other people wallow in luxury, disease is rampant, even though the cures have long been known, children are taught that God is an ancient superstition even in grammar school, stores are afraid to put up any Christmas decorations in case someone might be "offended", we have gay festivals and gay parades....and don't even get me started on the "younger generation"...in short, our society is going to hell in a handbasket with the enthusiastic approval of the same people who are trying so hard to stamp out any trace of God...is it any surprise that the Ten Commandments might make folks a tad...uncomfortable?
As Jesus explained, folks will not want to get to close to the LIGHT, or let the LIGHT get too close to them, as that LIGHT will reveal to themselves just what they truly are.

And the beat goes on.......

Answer 10

Because they serve no purpose and only reinforce the retarded idea that its a "Christian nation"

My tax dollars should not be spent to display some rules from a mythological book

And to the people that say its not in the constitution thats right its not but neither is the right to vote but you still have it.

Answer 11

There are only three I do not break.

I don't care for your religion and I do not respect it in the least.

Why did the fundies freak when a Hindu gave the opening prayer in the Senate?