10 Commandments for Catholics

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Commandment“You shall not…”

What it means for Catholics

1 – .. have other Gods before me.

 - avoid putting anything before God (idolatry)- worship God, both in private and public- do not put faith in superstition- avoid sins of irreligion (e.g. atheism, simony, sacrilege) 

2 – ..take the Lord’s name in vain

 - avoid using the name of the Lord, Jesus, Mary and the saints in offensive ways- do not swear false oaths, avoid perjury- a person’s Christian name should be respected 

3 - ..forget to keep holy the Lord’s Day

 - recognize Sunday (the Resurrection) through Mass, avoidance of work.-  Sunday  should  be  used  for  rest,  family,  cultural  and  social activities- do not make unnecessary demands on others on Sundays 

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4 – dishonor your parents

-authority given by God, for our good, is legitimate- family life is the basis for a happy society- parents should educate and encourage their children’s vocations- we need to support authority and uphold good morals within our society’s authorities

5--kill

- all human life is sacred from conception to natural death- do not murder – all people are the image of God- legitimate defense is a duty- protect embryos – avoid abortion, avoid reproductive technologies that lead to the destruction of embryos.- suicide and euthanasia are forbidden- we must do whatever we can to avoid war 

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6 – commit adultery

-chastity is the integration of sexuality within a person – sexuality is not only physical in nature- we are all called to live a chaste life- men and women are equal in dignity- avoid masturbation, fornication, pornography, homosexual practices- children are a gift from God – avoid artificial contraception- adultery, divorce, polygamy and free union threaten the dignity of marriage

7 – steal

 - we should share what we have and what we’ve earned- do not take things which don’t belong to you- people should not be enslaved, bought or sold- we need to protect the Earth’s resources- animals need to be protected – not abused- human labour has value in the eyes of God 

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8 – bear false witness against your neighbour

- avoid hypocrisy- always tell the truth- do not be afraid to talk about God, spread the Gospel- respect others’ reputations- telling the truth is connected to the Golden Rule- Keep professional secrets; sacramental seal (Reconciliation)

9 – covet your neighbour’s wife

 - avoid lust- purify the heart and practice temperance (self-control)- use prayer, chastity and purity to assist in controlling lust- be modest, have patience, decency and discretion 

10 – covet your neighbour’s goods

 - do not be jealous of someone else’s things, power or advantage- envy is the sadness felt at the sign of another’s goods and the desire to have them for yourself- avoid envy through good-will, humility and trust in God’s providence- we much detach from riches to enter heaven