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Debate Score:26
Arguments:13
Total Votes:32
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 What's the real reason we can't have the 10 Commandments posted in a courthouse? (13)

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joecavalry(40163) pic



What's the real reason we can't have the 10 Commandments posted in a courthouse?

I mean, it doesn't hurt anyone.  Except for references to God (like, Thou shall not have any other other God besides me), it forms the foundation of all societies (like, Thou shall not kill).  At the very least, a truncated version of the commandments should be OK... unless there's some other hiden agenda....

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you cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians .... it creates a hostile work environment. ;)

Side: Here's why
3 points

The 10 commandments, although some of them may bear a resemblance to some of our Laws, are a list of religious and moral imperatives tightly linked to Judeo-Christian theology and tradition.

The courthouse, however, has to judge people from all kinds of religious backgrounds.

And let's not forget that some of those 10 commandments are blatantly ignored not just by the people who abide by the Christian theology, but by the Christian churches themselves! (i.e. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them).

Oh, and I forgot to mention that, according to those same commandments,

The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns.

So God is more interested in whether you and your slaves rest on the seventh day, than he is about the fact that you have slaves! And you want the courthouse to have this posted?

Side: Here's why

I've never heard that commandment put in or written in that way. Can you tell me which version of the Bible that is in?

Side: Here's why

great points.

to add:

Wouldn't it be funny to have a statue of the commandments since one of the commandments is about idols of worship. Of course then the catholics would realize that their commandments are different from the protestant ones.

This is sounding better and better. We could put a footnote on the keep the sabbath commandment that the sabbath referenced in the bible is Saturday not Sunday.(Constantine changed the sabbath long ago when christianity became romes state religion)

Side: Here's why
2 points

Because it goes against the first amendment.

The establishment clause of the first amendment states that "congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". Now, in order to show that displaying the ten commandments in a court goes against the first amendment, you need to take intepretation by the Supreme Court into account.

In Everson v. Board of Education (1947), the Supreme Court upheld a New Jersey statute funding student transportation to schools, whether parochial or not. Justice Hugo Black held,

The "establishment of religion" clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither a state nor the federal government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against his will or force him to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion. No person can be punished for entertaining or professing religious beliefs or disbeliefs, for church attendance or non-attendance. No tax in any amount, large or small, can be levied to support any religious activities or institutions, whatever they may be called, or whatever form they may adopt to teach or practice religion. Neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups and vice versa. In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect "a wall of separation between church and State." [1]

The line towards the end, which reads that "neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups and vice versa."

So, neither state not the federal government can openly show to be in favour of any one religion over another (read: christianity). This is clearly stated and is clearly the interpretation set out by the Supreme Court. In the United States, courts are set up, controlled and given criminal jurisdiction by the state. [2]

Therefore, displaying the ten commandments in a state controller court house goes directly against the ruling by the Supreme Court in regarsd to intepretation of the establishment clause of the first amendment.

Side: Here's why
1 point

It's stupid that so many people want to remove them... they're good guidelines to follow. Even the first commandment. W/e you believe in you should continue believing in it as long as seen fit. God is a very obscure term, and shouldn't be limited to just a personal, Abrahamic God. To pantheists, God is merely the wonders of the Universe.

typical PC censorship, that's all it is.

Side: Here's why
1 point

We're a multicultural society and not everyone is christian.

What do you think non-christian think about these guidelines?

1. No god but the christian god

2. no false idols

3. Gods name in vain

4. keep the holy day

These are not moral codes. They are not. You might as well put statues of Hammarabi's code or the Egyptian book of the dead. They are older and have all the good moral codes (5-10) in them too.

We're not all christians. This isn't a christian nation. Understand this.

Side: Here's why
1 point

We may no longer be a Christian nation but we were then, for the most part.

Side: Here's why
ThePyg(6738) Disputed
1 point

It's really just part of the culture of our country and court systems. In no way do these commandments being up effect the judgment of the judge or juror. Really, if a country has no culture, it has no identity. we might as well eliminate the flag and all holidays.

Side: Here's why
TechFreak(88) Disputed
0 points

Actually, the Jews and Christians share the same God. The difference is that Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah and the Jews are waiting for teh Messiah to come.

This is a Christian nation. Our Constitution was written based on Christian beliefs. If you don't like it, ship your butt off to Asia.

Side: Here's why
1 point

The U.S. as a nation may not technically be christian. But the Christian American culture is strong and has been strong for a very long time.

This is just the left trying to destroy a culture. I don't want to let that happen. [:

Side: Christian American Culture