The Ten Commandments probably are/were important

My guess is that those who wrote the Ten Commandments and then attributed them to God wrote what at that time seemed to be very much needed, given the then local circumstances. But writing something is one thing, and getting people to obey what is written is a much more difficult task, even given the carrot/stick approach.
..... Here are two copies of what I wrote recently, mentioning the Ten Commandments, in other forums (fora):
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November 5 2010 at 2:07 PM QUITTNER (no login)
Response to The corruption of Jesus of Nazareth
As I keep repeating, the churches that Jesus initiated were special "families" whose members were specially selected only GOOD persons (now called "Saints") who had shared all of their possessions per ACTS 2:44-47 and ACTS 4:32-37 which usually are being ignored. These families were all part of the umbrella group called "The Kingdom of God" because all members regarded God as their father, their boss, and their king. They as individuals had no money and therefore were called "The Poor" by outsiders. (See Ebionites, religious voluntary poverty). Just as we, while we were young, didn't have any money and didn't need any, so the members of the Kingdom of God families also didn't need any. These families were not democratic, nor were they capitalistic, and the hope was that this kind of system would eventually win over the "normal" system, called "The World" as in worldly. Add to this that the behavior of ALL members would be guided by "The Sermon on the Mount" and all of the Ten Commandments, and Lev. 19:18, known as "The Golden Rule". No more killings of people, being nice to their neighbors, etc. etc.
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December 15 2010 at 11:06 AM QUITTNER (no login)
Response to I hope you aren't saying...
One of the BIG advantages of following Jesus and his lifestyle (being a Christian as Jesus defined it) was to be a member of a moneyless and sinless community, called "The Kingdom of God", ALL of whose members obeyed God, and were only GOOD people (now called "Saints"). They always did whatever God wanted them to do and never did what God did NOT want them to do. In addition to the Ten Commandments they also obeyed "The Golden Rule" (Leviticus 19:18) which was also required by Jesus and which is a part of several belief systems. Those who didn't couldn't get to be members, and presumably couldn't remain members. Compare with the two rules of discipline of the group that lived near Qumran and left us their "Dead Sea Scrolls". Probably some of those who were rejected/expelled turned into bitter enemies and eventually helped to kill Jesus. Also compare with modern groups that do not advertise themselves, have similar lifestyles, but may believe a teaching system that was invented after Jesus was crucified, and that Jesus would have rejected.
..... There are GOOD people all over this planet who do not belong to any specific belief system, and they also would make good neighbors, but they probably have a lot more difficulties with their lifestyle by remaining in the normal community (called "The World") than they would have (had) living in "The Kingdom of God" of Jesus. That kingdom probably would have financial difficulties under current conditions, and possibly would have to rely on charitable or a government's donations to survive. Modern churches were supposed to be, but are NOT members of "The Kingdom of God" because their members do not follow Jesus nor his lifestyle, but instead follow one of the many belief systems that were invented after Jesus was crucified, and that would have, as I keep repeating, been rejected by Jesus.