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DT and the 10 Commandments

The following summarizes a recent discussion we had with an ethics professor (who requested anonymity) about certain spiritual values in our modern life:

People of faith understand the importance of the idea of forgiveness. We all miss the mark sometimes. But it is very important that when we are in the wrong, that we admit our guilt, not deny or cover it up. Many of the leaders we respect have made mistakes. They say that they are sorry and they ask forgiveness.

When a politician is caught committing adultery, or caught in a lie about his taxes, we can’t just say “oh, well that is his business”. Because if he does not understand that he has done wrong, then how can he be forgiven? And if a man betrays his wife, what keeps him from betraying his people? Only his word, and that is why we need to know that our leaders know the difference between right and wrong, to command our trust that their word is true.

We thought the Ten Commandments would be a good way to try to measure DT’s spiritual values. So below we briefly summarize each Commandment and its modern interpretation. We comment whether DT has followed (observed) the Commandment and give him a Followed The Commandment rating. Partial Commandment observation (a ‘tweener’) garners a half point. The footnotes contain links to supporting documentation.

As shown on the table below, DT has 1 yes and 2 (half-point) tweeners, or 2 points out of a possible 10, in following the Ten Commandments. This converts to one star on a 5 point scale.

 Commandment DT’s Rating & Supporting Commentary
Commandment #1

You shall have no other gods before me

 Follow The Commandment (FTC) rating: Tweener

Modern Interpretation (MI): Worship God alone.
—
Commentary: There’s no evidence Trump violated this commandment by having more than one God, though few do have several gods nowadays.
But is DT’s focus on the accumulation of assets the worship of a 2nd god?
Commandment #2

You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness […] You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God […] showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

 FTC Rating: No

MI: You shall not make idols or images in the form of God. An idol can be anything you worship, making it more important than God. If something has your time and attention it has your worship.
—
One need only look at DT’s Golf Box Score and the Google Map of his assets to see where DT focuses his time and attention.
Commandment #3

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him
guiltless who takes his name in vain

 FTC Rating: Tweener

MI: Do not treat God’s name with disrespect. Speak his name with reference. Always honor God with your words.
—
We’re unaware of DT dissing God directly, but his insulting spoken words on multiple occasions would likely not be considered honoring God.
Commandment #4

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.

 FTC Rating: No

MI: This commandment is about remembering religion and keeping a place for it in one’s busy life. Set aside a day each week for rest and worship of God.
—
As discussed under DT’s Golf Box Score and other places in this Campaign Times, Trump clearly does not participate much in religious activities in his life.
Commandment #5

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you

 FTC Rating: Yes

MI: Treat your mother and father with respect and obedience.
—
Donald Trump has spoken very highly of his parents, especially his father. We note his mother was reportedly horrified at his behavior, especially his affairs, during the late 1980s. So obedience with mother somewhat lacking.
Commandment #6

You shall not murder.

 FTC Rating: No

MI: Do not deliberately kill a fellow human being. Don’t hate people or hurt them with words or actions.
—
While Donald Trump has not murdered nor ordered the murder of anyone to our knowledge, he did boast that he could shoot someone and not lose the loyalty of his supporters. He has clearly spoken hurtful words, particularly towards women, his fellow Republican primary candidates and their families, and members of the press.
Commandment #7

You shall not commit adultery.

 FTC Rating: No

MI: Respect your body and other people’s bodies.

—-
Donald Trump had an affair with Marla Maples while married to Ivana Trump. See Egregious Act 3’s discussion.
Commandment #8

You shall not steal

 FTC Rating: No

MI: Do not take anything that doesn’t belong to you, unless given permission to do so.
—
Trump and his extended family have used money meant for charity for themselves. He and Eric Trump apparently took money from a hospital fundraiser to give to the Trump organization. In June 2018 the New York State Attorney General’s office sued the Trump organization for the improper use of Trump Foundation assets. In mid-December 2018, the Foundation agreed to dissolve and give away all its assets under court supervision.
Commandment #9

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

 FTC Rating: No

MI: Do not tell a lie or bring a false accusation against another person.
—
Donald Trump has told lies about his campaign opponents, and the hush money payments to cover up his alleged affairs. See also the Egregious Acts 4 discussion in this Campaign Times.
Commandment #10

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife … or
anything that is your neighbor’s.

 FTC Rating: No

MI: Do not desire anything or anyone that does not belong to you. Be content by focusing on the blessings God has given you.
—
Donald Trump has attempted to seduce married women. He discussed this openly in the Access Hollywood tape.

Footnotes

Intro:

Commandment 3:

Commandment 5:

Commandment 6:

Commandment 7:

Commandment 8:

Commandment 10:

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