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==The Ten Commandments in US law==

==The Ten Commandments in US law==

In several contriversies over the legality of displaying the Ten Commandments on government property, and espicially outside courthouses, the influence of the ten commandments on US law becomes relivent as proponents of the displays argue that these commandments form part of the foundation of the US legal system.

In several contriversies over the legality of displaying the Ten Commandments on government property, and especially outside courthouses, the influence of the ten commandments on US law becomes relavent as proponents of the displays argue that these commandments form part of the foundation of the US legal system.

1. This is not only unmentioned in US law, but is specificly opposed by the First Ammendment to the Constitution itsself. Any attempt to impose the belief or non-believe in a particular God by legal means is strictly prohibited.

1. This is not only unmentioned in US law, but is specifically opposed by the First Ammendment to the Constitution itsself. Any attempt to impose belief or non-belief in a particular God by legal means is strictly prohibited.

2. In a similar way, the first ammendment, by protecting freedom of speech, explicicitly forbids any legal means of enforcing the second commandment - which is itsself a restriction on speech.

2. In a similar way, the first ammendment, by protecting freedom of speech, explicitly forbids any legal means of enforcing the second commandment - which is itself a restriction on speech.

3. Nothing in current state or federal law specificly prohibits the taking in vain of God's name in general, but it may be in violation of broadcast decency laws if shown on television or radio.

3. Nothing in current state or federal law specifically prohibits the taking in vain of God's name in general, but it may be in violation of broadcast decency laws if shown on television or radio.

4. Past state laws have enforced the sabbath by forbidding various activities, such as the sale of specific goods, on Sundays. These, however, are all now repealed or struck down. Closure of shops on Sundays is by convention, but not legally enforced.

4. Past state laws have enforced the sabbath by forbidding various activities, such as the sale of specific goods, on Sundays. These, however, are all now repealed or struck down. Closure of shops on Sundays is by convention, but not legally enforced. The biblical sabbath is in any case Saturday (the seventh day of the week), not Sunday (the first).

5. No law enforces this commandment. It is doubtful that it could be enforced.

5. No law enforces this commandment. It is doubtful that it could be enforced.

6. This commandment is very clearly enforced by US law. However, as this prohibition has arrisen in many diverse religions and legal system, it is highly probable it would have been included regardless of its mention in the ten commandments.

6. This commandment is very clearly enforced by US law. However, as this prohibition has arisen in many diverse religions and legal system, it is highly probable that it would have been included regardless of its mention in the ten commandments.

7. Adultery is not a criminal offense, but it will influence civil divorce procedings and affect the distribution of assets.

7. Adultery is not a criminal offense, but it will influence civil divorce procedings and affect the distribution of assets.