The Questions to Ask the Presidential Candidates: Do You Know the Ten Commandments

These questions were asked of Greenville, South Carolina, public school children Connor and Benjamin Campbell, ages 6 and 9, respectively. The children stated their version of the Ten Commandments, and here are their answers:

1. Thou shall not worship anyone except God

2. Thou shall not say cuss words

3. Thou shall not worship your house

4. Thou shall not beat your teacher

5. Thou shall not eat the neighbor's kid's food

6. Thou shall not marry thy sister

7. Thou shall not use your middle finger

8. Thou shall not kiss your neighbor's wife

9. Thou shall not steal

10. Thou shall not die

How many of the Ten Commandments can you name? In March 2007, USA Today survey revealed that "60% of Americans can't name the Ten Commandments." But surely, the survey noted that about "80% Americans can recall the ingredients in Big Mac. "

What does the Ten Commandment represent to create an uproar and debate in the nation?

The Issue

The Ten Commandments do not belong to the public school and must not be displayed in any public grounds for it is unconstitutional.

Some Background

The Ten Commandments and some bible verses were displayed in some government offices in America 40 years ago. According to Sue Hoffman of Religiousintolerance.org, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a non-profit organization, pushed for the construction and engraving of the monuments to address juvenile delinquency.

For those 40 years, the Americans did not really bother to protest or create any controversy on its existence. Those monuments became part of history. It suggests that principally majority of the Americans do not feel threatened to put symbolic reminders of moral values. And according to MSNBC, for many Americans, the Ten Commandments are "a symbol of the fact that government derives its authority from God".

However, in the year 2005, the issue on the Ten Commandments and where it belongs became a legal issue. It also resulted to many debates in the nation. The strong arguments on both sides dared to challenge the motives of why these monuments were erected 40 years ago. Many Americans did not intend to alienate other religions. But, a section of Americans sprung up to protest on the implications of this symbolic gesture. The issue led to dissecting the mindset of the Founding Fathers of America.

Arguments in Favor of the Ten Commandments Issue

1. America as a Christian Nation

The United States is ranked number 1 according to a table entitled " Christian Statistics: Top Ten Largest Christian Population" reported by Adherents.com. According to the website, the population of the United States consists of 85% Christians. Many articles written on the Ten Commandment Debate stated that American Christians emphasized the fact that the founders of the United States were Christians. The Ten Commandments are the basic principles of the Christian Faith. Thus, for a number of years, the vast majority of Americans, being the largest Christian nation in the world, have no problem with a public display of faith.

2. Historic Value of the Ten Commandment Displays

Religioustolerance.org reports in their article that "religious plaques posted in government buildings are simply an expression of the country's heritage". A discussion group called Onlinebibletalk.com noted that "more than half of the buildings in Washington, DC have various bible verses and the Ten Commandments were engraved in their stone and marble structures" to address the growing number of delinquent youths. Americans suggest that it is important to preserve old objects that form part of history. This enables those who view these monuments to understand and reflect on its purpose.

3. Moral Decline in Public School

America is seen as a nation in moral crisis. The years of great moral decline in public schools rose dramatically during the periods 1960s-1990s. The figures from former Secretary of Education William Bennett cultural indexes reprinted at Youdebate.com revealed the following: "divorce doubled, teenage pregnancy went up 200%, teen suicide increased 300%, child abuse reached an all-time high, violent crime went up 500% and abortion increased 1000%." This was the period when prayer was outlawed in public schools.

In the "10 Commandments in School Debate and Poll" at Youdebate.com, many Americans pointed out that statistically it is evident that there is a high correlation between the removal of prayer in public school and the decline in morality. Thus, Americans feels that symbols of good character, such as the Ten Commandments, are good reminders for children. This is an important strategy to counteract the moral decline.

Arguments against the Ten Commandments Issue

1. Religion Neutrality in America

In many of the debates that occurred on this issue, many Americans noted that the United States is multicultural. It means that the country consists of different people with different beliefs. The United States is a democratic nation. It represents freedom of religious expression. Thus, the government must be religion-neutral.

2. Separation of Religion and State

Some Americans claim that though the Founding Fathers were Christians, they separated their Christian beliefs in politics. The State must not endorse any religion. In other words, the State should be separate from religion. This argument was clearly justified from the article of Tom Ascol at Founders.org when he discussed the Christian beliefs of the Founding Fathers and Deism.

3. Second Class Citizens

Since the Ten Commandments have Judeo-Christian origins, many Americans feel left out. The University of Buffalo Law Center conveyed that "there are the millions of Americans who are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, practitioners of Native religions, and so on." The display of the Ten Commandments makes them feel second class citizens. Every time they see it on a public entity like the court house, it makes them feel like it is not their government.

Conclusion

The displays of religious nature on public grounds will continue to be an outstanding issue in the government of America. Since both the population of Christians and non-Christians are growing by leaps and bounds, it is expected that more frictions and confrontations will arise in the near future on this issue. The Non-Christians will justify its reasons on the grounds that it is a violation of their religious freedom even if they are a minority. The Christians, on the other hand, will justify the need to put visual reminders, like the Ten Commandments, to defend the morals of the youth.

In the final analysis, it is interesting to know how our presidential candidates would fare if asked the same questions and what would their version be of the Ten Commandments. Their answer could possibly give us a glimpse of the moral road ahead of America.

Sources:

Joan Biskupic, "Court Enters Debate over Display of Commandments", USA TODAY

Tom Curry, "Kennedy Pivotal in Ten Commandments Debate", MSNBC

"The Ten Commandments Debate: What they are; Should they be followed; Legal Challenges", Religioustolerance.org

Mark Wingfield, "Debate Highlights Views on Ten Commandments Posted in Courthouse", Standard

Farrell Till, "The Christian Nation Myth", Secular Web "Monumental Issue", University at Buffalo Law School

Joseph Farah, "The 10 Commandments Debate", World Net Daily

"10 Commandments in School Debate and Poll", www.youdebate.com

Tracy Atwood, "Ten Commandment Debate Continues", NBC

Alex Deane, "Ten Commandments: Display in Schools", IDEA

"Split Decision on Ten Commandments", Religiouslink.org

Linda Greenhouse, "The Ten Commandments Reach the Supreme Court", NY Times

Warren Richey, "Supreme Court Splits on Ten Commandments", The Christian Science Monitor

Austin Clines, "Can the State Acknowledge God?", About.com

"Do the 10 Commandments Belong in Public Schools?", Onlinebibletalk.com

Sue Hoffman, "The Real History of the Ten Commandments Project of the Fraternal Order of Eagles" Religioustolerance.org

Michael McGough, "We're on a Mission from God", Slate

Tom Ascol, "The Ten Commandments More than a Symbol", Founders.org

"Top 10 Largest National Christian Populations", Adherents.com

"America is not a Christian nation", Freethoughtpedia.com