The Ten Commandments
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We live in a culture that glamorizes moral relativism. When deciding what moral course to take in life, therefore, whatever works for you today seems to be the only norm for action. Within such a moral landscape, what place do the Ten Commandments hold, since they seem to embody universal, absolute norms for moral action? For many people today, the Ten Commandments remain only two tablets carried by Charlton Heston, but certainly not absolute moral norms for a Christian moral life.
In such an atmosphere of relative truth, the Ten Commandments are at best relegated to the status of one culture’s moral expression of their lived experience. So while the ancient Hebrews may have expressed a moral vision in the Decalogue, some might claim, there are many other equally valid expressions of morality. Contemporary society views the Decalogue as cereal on the supermarket shelf, as one of many options that may or may not be appealing to the individual. Moral relativism, therefore, reduces the Ten Commandments to guidelines expressed by a certain culture that may or may not be helpful in an individual’s personal quest for happiness.
As Catholics, we believe that The Ten Commandments are not a collection of commands contrary to human nature. They are, rather, absolute norms for moral action that point out the pathway to human happiness and fulfillment. The learn more about the role of The Ten Commandments in the modern world we encourage everyone to read the document below.
The Ten Commandments
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CATHOLICISM
MODERN ISSUES
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