The Ten Commandments and US Law: 1st Commandment

1^st Commandment

Quote from the Bible

2. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;

3. you shall have no other gods before* me. [or “besides”]

My interpretation what it means

These two verses set up the entirety of the faith. Of all the gods, only this Lord, God of Isreal, of Abraham, is to be worshipped. The wording implies in many places in the Bible that there may be other gods and supernatural beings of various sorts. Only this god, however, is the creator of all things (as described in Genesis) and only this god may be worshipped. Now, some take this a little further and assume he’s saying he’s the only god. For the sake of the rest of the commandments, we’ll allow that interpretation.

So, this means that the people Israel may only worship the god of Abraham.

How it relates to US Law

It doesn’t. There is nothing in US Law that says any of us must worship the god of Abraham. In fact, the highest law of the nation, the Constitution, says that the government of this nation may not tell us who or how to worship. There can be no test of religion as a condition of service in office.

Quoting from the Constitution: (Emphasis mine)

Article VI - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Also:, and perhaps more familiar to my readers:

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Commentary

The only mention of religion in the main proper of the Constitution is that it shall not be used as a qualification (or disqualification I should add) for office. The very first words of the very first Amendment tell us that Congress, the law making arm of the US Government, can make no laws that determine how people practice religion. I’d add "or how they don’t" – but that’s my addition and may be a touch controversial. Nowhere is it mentioned which god is The God. Very clearly, the 1^st Commandment is not a basis of US Law.