Joshua Bennett
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a set of rules that Catholics and those of Judeo-Christian heritage have traditionally memorised and practised. The commandments are believed to be derived from the most ancient of Christian traditions and are said to be applicable to all people, regardless of their religious affiliation. They cover a range of topics, from faith and worship to respect for others and their property. The first three commandments are said to be about 'sins against God', while the last seven are about 'sins against fellow man'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Faith, hope, love, and worship of God | Thou shall not have other gods besides me |
| Reverence for holy things | Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain |
| Prayer | Remember to keep holy the Lord's day |
| Love, respect, obedience | Honour thy father and thy mother |
| Safeguarding of one's own life and bodily welfare and that of others | Thou shall not kill |
| Chastity in word and deed | Thou shall not commit adultery |
| Respect for the property of rights and others | Thou shall not steal |
| Truthfulness, respect for the good name of others, the observance of secrecy when required | Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour |
| Thou shall not covet thy neighbour's wife | Lust |
| Thou shall not covet thy neighbour's goods | Greed |
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What You'll Learn
Honouring God
The first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me", is a cornerstone of monotheism and forms the basis of the Catholic faith. This commandment is often paired with the second, which forbids idolatry: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image". Together, these commandments emphasise the exclusivity of worshipping the one true God and reject the creation or worship of any other idols or images as false gods.
The third commandment, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain", commands reverence and respect when speaking about God and holy things. It forbids blasphemy, the irreverent use of God's name, and speaking disrespectfully of sacred matters. This includes the keeping of oaths and vows, prohibiting false oaths and the breaking of vows.
The fourth commandment, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy", instructs followers to observe a special day of the week, traditionally Sunday, as a holy day dedicated to the Lord. This day is meant for rest, worship, and the avoidance of unnecessary work, allowing for spiritual reflection and connection with God.
The fifth commandment, "Honour thy father and thy mother", promotes respect and honour for parents and authority figures. It reflects the belief in the importance of family and the duty of children to show love, respect, and obedience to their parents, who, in turn, are responsible for their children's spiritual and temporal welfare.
By following these commandments, Catholics demonstrate their devotion to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and placing Him at the centre of their lives. These principles guide believers towards righteous conduct, fostering a harmonious relationship with God and their neighbours.
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Respect for the rights of others
The Catholic Church teaches that human dignity can only be protected when human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. This includes the right to life, bodily integrity, and the means necessary for the proper development of life, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and social services. The Church also recognizes the right to health, home, work, family, and culture.
The Church's teaching on respect for the rights of others also extends to economic matters. This includes the practice of temperance, justice, and solidarity, as well as the prohibition of theft, damage to property, and unfair business practices.
In addition, the Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of truthfulness, respect for the good name of others, and the observance of secrecy when required. The Eighth Commandment, "Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor," underscores the value of honesty and respect for the reputation and privacy of others.
Overall, the Catholic Church's teaching on respect for the rights of others is a comprehensive framework that guides Catholics in their interactions with their neighbors and underscores the importance of upholding human dignity and fundamental human rights.
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Respect for property
The Catechism of the Catholic Church elaborates on this commandment, requiring respect for the names of people out of respect for their dignity. This includes respect for the integrity of creation, including animals, plants, and inanimate objects, which are destined for the common good of humanity. Man's dominion over these things is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbour and future generations.
The Seventh Commandment also enjoins respect for the rights of others in economic matters, requiring the practice of temperance, justice, and solidarity. This includes the paying of just debts and wages, integrity in public office, and fair exchange in business dealings. It forbids bribery, cheating, fraud, and other dishonest practices.
The Tenth Commandment, "Thou shalt not covet", is also relevant to the idea of respecting property. It warns against desiring or taking what belongs to our neighbour, including their goods and possessions. This commandment teaches Christians to be content with what they have and not to covet worldly goods, a concept known as "poverty of spirit".
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Honouring parents
Honouring one's parents is the fourth of the Ten Commandments in Catholicism. The commandment, which is found in Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16, states: "Honour your father and your mother".
The Catechism expands on this, explaining that "God has willed that, after him, we should honour our parents to whom we owe life and who have handed on to us the knowledge of God". This commandment applies not only to one's parents but also to one's grandparents, other family members, pastors, catechists, and other teachers or friends.
Honouring one's parents is about more than just obedience. It is also about expressing love, gratitude, and care for their spiritual and temporal welfare. This includes showing respect, providing for them in their old age, and ensuring they do not experience loneliness.
However, honouring one's parents can become challenging when parents are abusive, neglectful, or struggling with mental illness. Nevertheless, Catholics are still called to honour their parents even in these difficult situations.
The commandment to honour one's parents is not just limited to one's biological parents but also extends to those who have played a parental role in one's life, such as teachers and friends.
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Respect for human life
The fifth of the Ten Commandments is to respect human life. This commandment is based on the belief that every person is created by God and is valuable, and that life is a gift that must be treated with respect. It forbids unjust killing, suicide, abortion, sterilisation, duelling, and any actions that endanger the lives of oneself or others. The deliberate murder of an innocent person is considered a grave sin, and goes against the dignity of the human being, the golden rule, and the holiness of the Creator.
The commandment also prohibits anger, hatred, and vengeance. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus adds to the commandment, asking his disciples to turn the other cheek and love their enemies. This commandment also includes the protection of non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners. Soldiers are required to disobey commands to commit genocide or any other acts that violate universal principles.
The United States Catechism for Adults includes a discussion of in vitro fertilisation, stem-cell research, and cloning in its explanation of this commandment, as these practices often involve the destruction of human embryos, which is considered a sinful form of murder. The Catechism states that "no objective, even though noble in itself, such as a foreseeable advantage to science, to other human beings, or to society, can in any way justify experimentation on living human embryos or fetuses".
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