The Ten Commandments
from "Talking Points" on The O'Reilly Factor
September 21, 1999
by BILL O'REILLY

Things are getting downright controversial in America as the Presidential primaries come ever closer.

Steve Forbes now flat out says the Ten Commandments should be posted in schools and public buildings.

And that’s the subject of this evening's talking points memo.

Now, Mr. Forbes may be playing politics here, I don’t know, but his endorsement of the Commandments issue is gutsy and important.

Polls show that more than 70 percent of high school students have cheated and most don’t even think cheating is morally wrong. There is no question that American society has been secularized to an extent never before seen in our history. The forces that oppose the public display of the Commandments are adamant about the separation of religion and state.

But this is a cultural not a religious issue. The Ten Commandments signify a moral philosophy based upon a general spiritual belief. The founding fathers fully endorsed the philosophy but made it clear that no specific religion would be given preference in our system including atheism which if you think about it is the philosophy given the most preference in the public arena today.

And since more than 90 percent of Americans believe in God that doesn’t seem very democratic.

Anyway talking points would like to point out that American leaders have an obligation to set a moral tone as well as policy. We are living in a time when many Americans refuse to confront the issue of right and wrong there's always an excuse.

Well with the majority of young Americans comfortable with cheating and other forms of dishonesty it seems to me that any reminder of moral behavior is a good thing. So cheers to Steve Forbes hopefully other politicians will see the worthiness of displaying The Ten Commandments.

And that’s the memo.