Why don't christians have laws?

Question

I honestly don't mean this to be a 'bash' of christians. I was born Roman Catholic, when I was about 7-8 my parents joined the prodisant sect of christianity. They dont really have laws. Of course there is the 'dont murder' and things as such thay all religions pretty much have, but they dont have life guiding laws. Jews follow kosher laws, daily prayer times and like 300+ commandmants. Muslims have the seven pillars of Islam. Catholics have no meat on lent, and confession stuff and all the other stuff I dont seem to remember. Also, all other religions have similar services for their holy day. christians differ from church to church and are louder, and what not. I really dont see how a religion doesnt have religious laws. I think its just people picked out what the liked from the newtestiment and turned that into a religion of lazy catholics (or whatever). And before anyone says im catholic or anything like that, im agnostic now that ive got out of the brainwash.

but all religions have a version of that. And the ten commandments are of jewish orgin. You dont have guide lines, i know i use to go to church and see what you people did. I went to a few chruches, no guidelines

Will you people read the whole ....comment!?!?!?!?!?!?! every religion has the same rules in the ten commandments. They cant count because everyone has them. christians dont have their own bylaws or whatever you wanna call them.

Answer 1

We do have laws - the ten commandments govern just about every facet of life for Christians, and what's not covered by those is covered by the 11th commandment in the New Testament - Love thy Neighbor as Thyself.

Answer 2

Even a Protestant recognizes the Council of Jerusalem in the first century.... Protestant mentality pretty much follows that line of thinking--that gentiles aren't bound by the law the way Judiasm requires because of the sacrifice of Christ.

Beyond that, the depth of the legal stuff depends on the Denomination you belong to. I grew up in the denomination that doesn't use instruments in worship. But in general, I have found that much is permitted, although not everything is beneficial. The denominations I have attended put a great emphasis on reading and studying the Bible. That's where you get through a lot of the requirements that don't make a lot of sense to find the reason and purpose for a lot of true Christianity. I have found that to be much less important to most Catholics (and many Protestants these days......sigh).

After all, who would you expect to be more of an authority? The Pope, or Peter himself? Regardless of your perspective on that, you can read what Peter has to say about a few things in the Bible for yourself.

BTW, I am certain that many who claim to be "Christian" will not be saved, and I am also certain that many Catholics will. While there may be a lot permitted within Catholicism to distract a person from Christ's message, the message does remain. Plus, there are some well respected Catholic apologists and Theololgians.

You sound like you are thoughtfully considering these kinds of things. If you seek God with all your heart, you will truly find him.

Answer 3

That's an interesting question. I think the answer has to do with the origins of the religions.

The "religious laws" that you refer to were devised at a time when the leadership of those religions had political control over society.

In ancient Israel, the Muslim world, and the Roman Catholic world prior to the Reformation, the religious leaders were also the governing power; there was no separation of Church and State. Under those circumstances, it is natural for the religious leaders to impose an entire system of laws to keep society orderly and controlled.

Most protestant churches have not had a dominant governing role in society. In America, there are a vast array of different denominations, all excluded from political power by the separation of Church and State. Without a single Church that has political domination over society, a rigid system of religious laws is unlikely to develop. You might find that in cases where a Protestant Church does have political domination over society, there are more such religious laws, such as the Colonial Calvinists, or maybe the Amish, or the Mormons.

Basically, I think the answer is that Protestant churches are not designed to serve as a governing power, as more traditional religions have been, and that is why they don't have so many religious laws.

Answer 4

What kind of Protestant church are you talking about, probably a charismatic or Methodist denomination of some sort. I know that Catholics claim to be Christian, but there is one thing that they are wrong about, and I think you are wrong about. If anyone knows anything about Protestantism a Protestant church is one that has literately split from the Roman church ( I dare not say catholic because that would refure to the entire group of the elect, in otherwards, true Christians) not one that split from any protestent group so therefore no non-denomonational churches, cults, or even I dare say some Baptist groups . If you are a true Christian, you WILL have good works. Thats where Papests (romans), get the doctrine of Justification wrong. If you could, look at this website to understand a little bit about what im trying to say. I also think that alot of groups that claim to be Christians give real Christians a bad name. Also you might want to look into a little more on convenent theology.

Answer 5

Sorry, but the "catholic laws" have no bearing on the new testament, or any other part of the bible. They're man-made laws, so quite honestly, they're not really laws which have anything to do with God. The bible never told people to confess to priests, we're to confess to God, and God only. Organized religion has become a joke, all these rules that have no bearing on christianity. In christianity, we're to obey the commandments of course, but also that "do unto others what you would have them do unto you", and "love each other", which basically makes more laws that you could count. Loving our enemies is the hardest rule to abide in, but we try. I also don't like the yelling and screaming "Amen" in baptist churchs, I like the reverence of catholic churches, but can't get past the whole statue thing they have going, false idols is a definate no-no. I guess "lazy catholics" make a lot more sense, considering they don't have any idol worship, self-made saints, or any of the other silly things the catholic church came up with to increase their political power. If you want laws, go to Judism, they have more than enough for anyone, but it you're really looking for faith in Christ, you're probably better off celebrating in your own way, than trying to fit into any of the organized religions out there, and quite honestly, although catholics are definately christians, they seem to be christians who haven't actually read the bible or understand much of it or they wouldn't continue to do some of the things they're doing.

Answer 6

The Tenth Commandments are out laws also certain teachings of the Bible that don't literally appear in the 10 commandments we have adapted as our laws.

This question doesn't seem logical to me.

The 10 Commandments were from the Jews but we adapted them. Christianity derived from Judaism yes, but what do you think a new form of religion separated from Judaism?

Because christians agreed that Jesus was sent by God and was more than a prophet.

We have the right as Christians to accept the 10 commandments as our laws too since we have the same God but only a few differences.

Answer 7

Part of the problem is that scriptural Christianity and the lives of people here in America tend to differ. At the root of it, Christianity holds that Christ is superior to man; not equal to man (man is a false god; Gen. 3). All men make mistakes; (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23).
There is a man-made old testament of Genesis-Malachi, and the scriptural old testament; i.e. the law of Moses. (Per scripture, the old testament was done away; Hebrews). The Jews were told to have two or more witnesses (about three times Deut. 10-20), and the Christians were given the same command (Matt. 18:16, 2 Cor. 13:1). When this concept is applied, one finds the 'old testament' is the law of Moses. My 'two or more witnesses' for that assertion include Joshua (Joshua 8:31), David (2 Kings 2:3), Solomon (1 Kings 8:9), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:1), Daniel (Daniel 9:11-13), Malachi (Malachi 4:4)i, Jesus (Matt. 19:7-9), God the Father (Matt. 17; in effect he backs up whatever Jesus his Son says), and the apostle Paul. (The law is referred to as the old testament (KJV), many other English versions translate it as old covenant in 2 Cor. 3:13-14). Perhaps this is part of why the beast in Revelation 17 is the USA, and the harlot Babylon is the leadership of the USA. (See what happens to the beast and harlot in Revelation 18).
God apparently had me think of this text recently; Acts 18:24-28 (please read) regarding Priscilla, Aquilla, and Apollos. Apparently, Apollos was eager to grow. I hope many Christians in this country presently are in the Apollos category.

Answer 8

Most Christians follow Matthew 22:40

Answer 9

When Jesus died and Resurrected HE freed all True Christians from ALL of the Laws - mosaic, Levitical, Commandments, and all else. HE gave us two only to follow.
True Christian Salvation is a ""Once Saved Always Saved"" event so priests are NOT required for confessions.
True Christians communicate with The God through Jesus alone so no church hierarchies required.

Answer 10

The Bible is the law.... Christians try to follow it as a guide book instead of letting a Church made up of sinful men tell them what to do. The problem lies in the interpretation of the Bible, that's where different Christian sects come into play