The Ten Commandments for Modern Times.

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The Ten Commandments

Many religions are based on a series of laws, rules or commandments, most of which have been created with the purpose of establishing harmony, peace and acceptance throughout all peoples. Another reason for these religious laws is to maintain and protect humanity, integrity, honor and virtue.

Christianity emerged following the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth a Jew whom his followers believed to be the son of God, the messiah or meshiach which translated to English means ‘the chosen one’.

The Jewish had a different opinion concerning Jesus, they believed that he was a prophet speaking and acting by the will of their God just like the prophets of old.

Moses was one of the most important figures in Judaism; he was believed to be one of the greatest prophets, a messenger of God on earth. Moses, guided by the hand of God, delivered the Israelites from the slavery of the Egyptians. He is also attributed with having received the Ten Commandments (literally translated as the ten words) on the peak on Mount Sinai from God, in order to deliver ‘Gods chosen people out of wickedness and sin’.  They were to serve as principles of moral behavior for the human race, a guide for mankind as to how they must live their lives.

These Ten Commandments are as follows:

  1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.
  2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
  3. Thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy God in vain.
  4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
  5. Honor thy mother and father.
  6. Thou shalt not kill.
  7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
  8. Thou shalt not steal.
  9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
  10. Thou shalt not covet.

The Ten Commandments or Decalogue as they are sometimes known as, are deeply imbedded in to the core of three main religions, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, although throughout these religions  there are many variations on the original laws. Islam, Judaism and Christianity are collectively known as ‘Abrahamic religions’ because the roots of all three religions can be traced back to the covenant God made with Abraham, this is recorded in the torah (Hebrew bible) and the Christian Old Testament.

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If I was starting a new society and in the position to choose the ethical Decalogue for my people, I would choose rules that would especially apply to my people and the time and culture in which they where settled.

This is the ethical Decalogue that I would wish choose for my people if set in this day and age:

  1. Do not kill for sport, entertainment, research, hatred, jealousy or desire. A life may only be taken: as an act of defense, with permission of the being or for the greater good of the living.
  2. Treat ...

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