Why do Christians Think US Laws Based on Ten Commandments?

Question

I find its weird they think our laws are based on the ten commandments. The first four are about worshipping a specific god, would be unconstitutional if they were law. We have no laws against not honoring parents or coveting thy neighbors stuff, or even adultery. We have laws against stealing and murder but then so did the societies before the 10 commandments so no great insight there.

Answer 1

Maybe because they are engraved in the Supreme Court building in Washington DC.

Maybe because the founding fathers constantly invoked God in their writings.

Maybe because Thomas Jefferson, in the Danbury Baptist Letter, coined the phrase "Church and State" while discussing the prohibition against allowing any specific SECT of the Church from gaining control of the government instead of using phrases like Religion.

And yes, there have been laws on the books about God and adultery and in some places there still are.

For example, Michigan.

750.30 Adultery; punishment.
Sec. 30.

Punishment: Any person who shall commit adultery shall be guilty of a felony; and when the crime is committed between a married woman and a man who is unmarried, the man shall be guilty of adultery, and liable to the same punishment.


History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;--CL 1948, 750.30 .

Former Law: See section 1 of Ch. 150 of R.S. 1846, being CL 1857, 5856; How., 9277; CL 1897, 11688; CL 1915, 15462; and CL 1929, 16817.


750.31 Adultery; complaint and time of prosecution.
Sec. 31.

Complainant and time prosecution to be commenced No prosecution for adultery, under the preceding section, shall be commenced, but on the complaint of the husband or wife; and no such prosecution shall be commenced after 1 year from the time of committing the offense.


History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;--CL 1948, 750.31 .

Former Law: See section 3 of Ch. 158 of R.S. 1846, being CL 1857, 5858; CL 1871, 7693; How., 9279; CL 1897, 11690; CL 1915, 15464; and CL 1929, 16819.

I could take up miles of web space with postings on laws concerning God, adultery and mistreatment of parents including elder abuse laws.

I think this shows that the laws you claim do not exist, do exist.

PS: Ok here is a Sunday Law from Rhode Island

TITLE 11
Criminal Offenses
CHAPTER 11-40
Sunday Laws
SECTION 11-40-1

11-40-1 Work or recreation on Sunday prohibited. Except as provided in 5-22-6 5-22-11, inclusive, every person who shall do or exercise any labor or business or work of his or her ordinary calling, or use any game, sport, play, or recreation on the first day of the week, or suffer it to be done or used by his or her children, servants or apprentices, works of necessity and charity only excepted, shall be fined not exceeding five dollars ($5.00) for the first offense and ten dollars ($10.00) for the second and every subsequent offense; provided, further, however, that the above prohibitions shall not apply to any person or persons operating or functioning under a valid permit or license.

PPS:

Further, in his dissenting opinion on the SCOTUS case STONE v. GRAHAM Justice Rehnquist wrote:

"It is equally undeniable, however, as the elected representatives of Kentucky determined, that the Ten Commandments have had a significant impact on the development of secular legal codes of the Western World. The trial court concluded that evidence submitted substantiated this determination."

Answer 2

Dear Steve C,

i don't know too many Christians who do believe that the US Laws are based on the 10 commandments.

It is common historical knowledge that many of the founding fathers of this nation were believers, and some of the principals that this country was founded on are things that the Bible values as well.

Our pledge of allegiance: One Nation Under God, but with liberty and justice for all. Christianity most certainly underscores the freedom that a person has. In fact the Bible teaches that people have freedom but they have to exercise that freedom responsibly.

i think its quite obvious that the 10 commandments are not US Law (in fact they are laws that Moses brought down to the Jews? They are laws that apply to believers but obviously not everyone in this country are believers in God. When people who do say this, are just making reference to how some of the history of the US reflects decisions that were made with the intention of honoring God by men whose life desire was to honor God- principals of equality!

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 3

I do know this...that American Culture was founded on christian principles not necessarily the commandments...think about it, all of our forefathers in this country around the time of its Independence were of christian faith. There were no Muslims here, no Hindus, no Buddhists, only Christians... so I will be damned if our laws weren't based on christian principles and fundamentals. It would be illogical to say that it wasn't.

Answer 4

Actually most states did and some still do have laws against adultery and sodomy. These laws just aren't enforced the way they used to be.

God Bless.

Answer 5

My province was the only one in canada not to have sunday shopping. It's since been allowed. If i had've been atheist before then I would've been seriously pissed off.

Answer 6

Some commandments are the same as the laws, but it is merely coincedence.

Answer 7

I don't think that. I'm a Christian and a U.S. Citizen.

Why do uninformed people always lump groups they detest into one homogenous evil and condemn them all?

Answer 8

Don't just assume that all Christians believe that. We are not an ingnorant religion. We know the rule of Separation of church and state.

Answer 9

People who believe this have a screw loose. The USA murder people at home and abroad and I see nothing that supports this in any commandment other than from the nutter running your country.

Answer 10

Becuase they get their information on law from guys how have mail in degrees from non-existant schools and ignore what those trained in law have to say.