[R. Scott]

The Ten Commandments are a great set of guidelines, but the idea that they are the basis of our law is a bit of a stretch to me.
While we did have individual colonies with religious based law, none of the Ten Commandments were incorporated into Federal Law when our Nation was founded. The sixth – ninth were incorporated into State law.

[WOSG]

"none of the Ten Commandments were incorporated into Federal Law when our Nation was founded."

This doesnt surprise at at all as much as the Federal Govt was limited in scope to matters between states, not regulation of individuals. That kind of obtrusiveness only started in the New Deal era and after.

The States themselves had "police" powers, and did incorporate much of the Ten Commandments.


As for the history: Alfred the Great prefaced his laws with the Ten Commandments. English common law grew out of the same root.