[kabar]

I don't view the Ten Commandments as strictly a religious edict. Just as the Code of Hammurabi helped to define and shape the laws and behaviour of civilization, the Ten Commandments are the antecedents of modern law. They are reflected throughout our civil society and law, including the Constitution. Regardless of whether one is a believer, agnostic, or atheist, the Ten Commandments are important historically and should not be offensive to anyone.

[ChemistCat]

Absolutely.

Not only that, but the Jewish law, the Ten Commandments and the other parts, happen to be the first time EVER where the law was meant to apply to EVERYONE--including the kings, and the rich and famous.

If that isn't a fundamental principle of Western civilization, what is? We don't quite make it but we try really hard, and Richard Nixon (if not Bill Clinton) found that out the hard way.