He went on to inform me that even if I did not like the Ten Commandments that I should at least understand that our judicial system and laws are based upon these commandments from the Bible.

Say what? I explained to my agitated caller that I did not dislike the Ten Commandments, but simply did not like them posted in public buildings. Furthermore I attempted to explain that if anyone wished to post these or other documents on their private property and in their homes they are certainly free to do so.

But public buildings belong to all the citizens and not just to Judeo-Christian believers. And besides all that, American law is not based upon the Ten Commandments, except two: killing and stealing.

And these are not primarily Hebrew law. Killing and stealing were laws in societies that predated Hebrew law, such as the Code of Hammerobi, the Sumerians, the Babylonians and others had these laws long before the Hebrew people were a nation.

As for the other eight commandments, these have little relationship to American law. To wit:

It is not against American law to worship other gods, or to make graven images, or to take the Lord's name in vain. Few people are ever prosecuted for failing to keep the Sabbath holy.

People always are dishonoring their fathers and mothers without having to do jail time. Committing adultery seldom brings about jail sentences. If bearing false witness was a crime, there would be few people left in Congress and the White House. Coveting a neighbor's goods and wife is what keeps the capitalist economic system working, according to comedian George Carlin.

The actual problem is that the religious right wants to control people and to promote their agenda to the exclusion of others, which ignores the fact that all religions are equal in a democratic republic like America. The Christian fundamentalists would change our nation into a theocracy if given the opportunity.

Actually I agree with George Carlin. Our economic system is based upon a certain amount of greed and a desire to "keep up with the Joneses" and one needs to covet in order to make this possible.

Our economic system would surely collapse if everyone suddenly stopped coveting and quit buying all that worthless junk we think we need to make our lives more meaningful. Shalom.

Bo Turner is a retired educator and pastor of Tallulah Falls Baptist Church. He is a resident of Clarkesville.

Originally published Monday, August 4, 2003 in the Gainesville Times