abolished in the name of "separation of church and state"? Personally, I feel all laws can be traced back to some sort of moral code. Are we in fact leglislating morality by haveing anti-theft and anti-murder laws, for example?
2006-10-07 15:59:40 · 5 answers · asked by MamaBear 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The moral base for law in the United States is "equal justice under law." The laws apply to everyone in the same way and to the same extent.
A parallel moral base is that the laws in the United States have the consent of the governed, through representational legislatures under the supremacy of federal law. Simply, the consent of the governed in a federal republic.
These moral bases DO NOT CONSTITUTE A CHURCH and are not associated with any particular church exclusively. Not do these moral bases infer a utopia or pefect life, as is typical of church doctrines. Therefore they do not violate the separation of church and state or the secular nature of American government.
2006-10-07 16:14:20 · answer #1 · answered by urbancoyote 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Morals are not the same as religion. You are suggesting anarchy, which is something most Atheists, like myself, are not seeking. When we demand the separation of church and state, that would mean that a law shouldn't impose something that only people of faith believe in. Atheists do not condone murder or theft at all. Things like same sex marriage, abortion, the right to testify in court, and the right to run for office are lacking the separation of church and state.
2006-10-07 23:04:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion does not have a monopoly on morals. You can have morals and not be part of a religion.
The role of governemnt, IMO, is to stop people who infringe on the rights of others. If I steal from or kill you, then I have infringed on your right to be left alone. But, again morals do not equate with religion. Religions have moral codes, but what makes a religion is the belief in a higher power not a moral code.
2006-10-07 23:04:16 · answer #3 · answered by Your Best Fiend 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's true that most common law in the US have religious history in their making. It is also important that they support the rights of " Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness " Then law in place are meant to serve and protect the majority of the populace. For example
If we did away with the that says stealing is bad, then you would be thrown in jail for protecting your property when the burglar came in for you TV.
2006-10-07 23:04:10 · answer #4 · answered by Odindmar 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Morality is doing what is right no matter what you are told.
Religion is doing what you are told no matter what is right.
Larry Mundinger, 1999
2006-10-07 23:02:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋