The Ten Commandments and US Law: 7th Commandment

7^th Commandment

Quote from the Bible

14. You shall not commit adultery

My interpretation what it means

Um… it means you shall not commit adultery. 

BUT!  It really meant that a married or betrothed woman could not have sex with any man other than her husband.  She was, after all, his property (at the time these particular passages were written).  It didn’t actually apply to men as long as the woman wasn’t someone’s wife or bride to be.

How it relates to US Law

It doesn’t.  While societal norms disapprove of adultery, there are no Federal laws that make it a crime.  Essentially, the only time it’s a problem is when one party decides to use it as a reason for divorce. 

Commentary

This Commandment does not form any part of the basis of the US Constitution or any of our Federal Laws.  A great number of our greatest public figures throughout our history have been adulterers.  It seems obvious the Seventh Commandment holds little sway in the day to day running of our country.  The people that don’t commit adultery probably aren’t being good because the Bible tells them to, but rather because they love their spouse and don't want to hurt them, haven't been tempted enough, or some combination of the two.  It isn’t looking good for the proponents of the Ten Commandments being the foundation of law in our land, is it?