Ten Commandments should unite, not divide Americans

By By Ray Wittlinger

Friday, April 1, 2005

Everyone knows we have a problem distinguishing just what the separation between church and state is in these United States.

Often it’s hard to tell if a separation even exists. There really shouldn’t be a problem distinguishing between the Ten Commandments and the Constitution.

As the Supreme Court spends time deliberating on whether statues or monuments of the Ten Commandments can be placed on grounds of government buildings, Americans face another moral dilemma.

It is certainly hard to argue that religion plays no role in our government. God is everywhere these days in American democracy. On the national motto, the dollar bill, coins, the pledge of allegiance and even in the oath our President takes to assume office. You name it, he’s there.

So why all of a sudden is there this question of whether or not a higher power should have a hand in the laws of the land?

The presence of the Ten Commandments near a government institution can be offensive only if you let it be. The great debate we have now is about letting the theology of some dictate the lives of others.

We do face a grave danger in becoming a state of discrimination by telling Americans who can marry and who cannot. Even the fight to keep stem cell research harnessed and at a minimum based on personal beliefs threatens the ingenuity of America.

Many question why it would be such a bad thing at all for everyone to have to live by the Ten Commandments. Outlined in this sacred document are indeed some of our country’s most fundamental laws.

There still must be respect though for the difference in opinion on the authority rather than the law. Of course both God and a government do not tolerate nor allow murder, but if some do not believe in God as an authority figure, they may just not follow his law. There, we face a moral danger.

Aethiests and Christians have argued for years as to why there should even be a division between the government and church. While one believes they deserve protection from the other, one believes they exert power over the other.

The Ten Commandments is an actual object that just may have the ability to unite the two with common beliefs in respect for each human individual. Instead it serves as one of the greatest divides.

Tolerance really does extend in two different directions. While it is important to understand and support followers of each religious background, it is equally important to respect those with no religious background. But allowing basic rules of humanity to offend you and frighten you is unnecessary.

Wittlinger is an Olathe freshman in political science.

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