Christopher Hitchens on the Ten Commandments

Introduction

• Hitchens addresses the Ten Commandments and their relevance today.
• Highlights that even Moses revised them, implying they can be updated.

Commandments 1 and 2

• Commandment 1: I am the Lord thy God
• Commandment 2: No other gods, no graven images
  • Problematic for Catholics because it challenges Christian art.

Commandment 3

• Commandment: Do not take the Lord's name in vain
  • Difficult to interpret and often considered vague.
  • Example: Is shouting “God is great” in a violent act adherence or violation?

Commandment 4

• Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day
  • Christians advocating for this in public spaces overlook it mandates Saturday, not Sunday, as holy.
  • Reflects fundamentalist Jewish state norms.

Commandment 5

• Commandment: Honor thy father and mother
  • Comes with an inducement: longer life in the promised land.
  • Possibly implies honoring parents for expected inheritance.

Commandment 6

• Commandment: Thou shalt not kill
  • Contradiction: Moses orders killing right after receiving this commandment.

Commandment 7

• Commandment: Thou shalt not commit adultery
  • Turkish Islamic party recently tried, but failed, to enforce it as law.
  • Often self-punishing rather than a criminal offense.

Commandment 8

• Commandment: Thou shalt not steal
  • Universally accepted; societies generally don't endorse theft.

Commandment 9

• Commandment: Don't bear false witness
  • Important for justice; convicting the innocent is morally abhorrent.
  • Notable for its nuance and emphasis on true justice.

Commandment 10

• Commandment: Do not covet
  • Critiques: Women equated to property, thought-crime, suppresses natural instinct.

Theological Reflection

• Examines whether God made man or many gods made by men.
• Discrepancies in commandments highlight a possible capricious nature of God or humanity.

Hitchens' 21st Century Decalogue

1. Do not condemn people based on ethnicity or color.
2. Do not use people as property or slaves.
3. Despise those who use violence or threats in sexual relations.
4. Harm a child: hide your face and weep.
5. Do not condemn people for inborn nature (e.g., homosexuality).
6. Acknowledge human dependence on nature and act accordingly.
7. Do not think you're immune to judgment if you commit white-collar crimes.
8. Turn off your cell phone; unimportant calls are disruptive.
9. Denounce jihadists and crusaders as psychopathic criminals.
10. Be prepared to renounce any religion contradicting the above principles.

Conclusion

• Emphasizes critical thinking and adapting moral codes to contemporary ethical standards without rigid adherence to traditional forms.