The New Revised U.S. Commandments?

”I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress.” Ronald Reagan

After seeing this quote on Facebook, and considering recent philanderings by politicians in the news, it got me thinking about what kind of revision the Ten Commandments would turn into. With compromise and backroom dealing it may look something like the following.

1. "I am the LORD your God . You shall have no other gods in My presence..."

Pass—No. It wouldn’t pass congress because it’s too narrow—don’t want to offend atheists or agnostics.

2. "Do not make an image or any likeness of what is in the heavens above..."

Pass—No. Wouldn’t pass congress because some people may wish to worship beasts, fish, birds, people, etc.

3. "Do not swear falsely by the name of the LORD..."

Pass—No. Since people can worship or not worship whom or whatever they wish, a prohibition against making false oaths in the name of the God is not important.

4. "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy"

Pass—No. Again, since people can worship whom or whatever, the Sabbath day is unimportant.

5. "Honor your father and your mother..."

Pass—Yes. The obligation to honor one's parents would be modified to: “Highly regard your guardian as your caretaker.”

6. "Do not murder"

Pass—Yes. Murdering a human was originally a capital sin and meant decapitation (capitalis in latin = “regarding the head”). Although murdering is an offense to society, the punishment would vary state by state…decapitation optional.

7. "Do not commit adultery."

Pass—No. Adultery is defined as sexual intercourse between a man and a married woman who is not his wife (or visa versa). In the eyes of government, it is a private matter between the couple and would not be legislated.

8. "Do not steal."

Pass—Yes. If everyone stole property from one another, the items could not be traced, and it would infringe on the government’s ability to tax.

9. "Do not bear false witness against your neighbor"

Pass—Yes. One must not bring a false testimony in a court of law or legal agreements. This commandment would be restricted to court proceedings and verbal agreements observed and notarized by a third party.

10. "Do not covet your neighbor's wife"

Pass—No. If adultery is permitted, then the “desire and plan how one may obtain that which God has given to another” is a moot point.

Therefore, the Ten Commandments would be reduced to the new Four Commandments.

1) Highly regard your guardian or caretaker.

2) Do not murder.

3) Do not steal.

4) Do not bear false witness against your neighbor in court.

However, in the absence of God as a final authority, an optional commandment should be added to the top of the list:

5) Obey and Love the Government over all else.