Why are Christians so adamant about following the law?

Question

What about unjust laws? Do you think Christians before MLK were right to segregate Afro-Americans? It was the law. Where do you draw the line?

Ok, if Catholics are not required to follow unjust laws, what's the big deal with pot?
Someone truly educated about cannabis would know it kills cancer cells, reduces anxiety, and arguably brings people closer to God (as in Rastafarians and the Ethiopean Orthodox Church).

Answer 1

Habit.

When you get used to following orders, you don't draw a line.

Answer 2

The bible commands people to follow the laws of the land. I'm not sure where to draw the line, as a christian I follow my gut. I don't believe God would give me a bad instinct.

Answer 3

Depends on the Christians. The majority recognize the poins you made--and admire people like MLK. Where you draw the line has to do with the philosophy of civic action that is called variously "civil disobedience" (Thoreau, "nonviolent resistance" (MLK) and "satyagratha ['truth force'] (Gandhi)--all owhich are very clear about how to draw that line.

But the "Christians" (almost exclusive the "right wing fundamentalists") you are speaking of do not see the law as a means of protecting society and its members--one to be challenged and held accountable when and as needed. For them the law is merely a way of exercising power over others. To that end they want--and demand--that the others obey their laws blindly and without question. They themselves are exempt from this--they have no respect for the law as such. You can see this in the realities behind their rhetoic. Here's three examples:

1) They insist that "their President" is above the law--not bound by the Constitutional restrictions designed to protect individual liberty--but are quick to claim their rights have been violated when they are not allowed touse public property to advertise or otherwise promote their religion.
2) They demand that blacks, immigrants, and others "be held accountable" for breaking the law--but excuse law enforcement officers who violate the law.
3) They are quick to decry drug dealers and users, demanding prison time for evenminor offenses--but when one of their own (Ted Haaggerty) admits buying meth--they instantly forgive him and complain about "persecuters" call for law to be enforced.

I could name a hundred more--but the bottom line is simple: these "Christians" (so-called) want the law to be applied to everyone -- but themselves.

Answer 4

It's your duty as a Catholic to live by the laws set by the government. To not abide by the laws of your government is a sin.

rosbif: It's nice to know that there are places like America where people have freedom of religion and are not forced to put things into their church that contradict the beliefs and would make them unholy. UK is obviously living in ancient times if they are taking rights away from their citizens.

Separation of church and state is useful in cases such as that.

Edit: Catholics are required to follow ALL laws set by the community and anything that is negative to the body, which Pot is (so says a lot of medical professionals!) then it is also a sin simply because of that. Your body is your temple, and you are required to treat your body with respect. To not treat your body with respect is to tell God that you do not respect what he has given you. Drunkeness and smoking tobaco isn't allowed either.

Answer 5

MLK is not a good example.
Christians through the centuries are a strange people; they have broken the law more than any other group; they encouraged slavery then they fought against it.
MLK was a product of Christian slave owners who schooled their slaves in the Christian faith; then the slaves started reading about Jesus coming to free men from bondage,,,,then all hell broke loose.

Answer 6

First of all we follow Christ. If the law that is passed in any country goes against what God's word stands for then we are to never obey that. God places people in leadership in countries- we pray that they are following God's ways, if not then we are to obey God first.

Answer 7

They aren't,not if it inteferes with their religion.
In the UK at the moment anti discrimination laws regarding homosexuals are currently going through parliament.The catholic church demanded an exemption as it went against their beliefs.
Fortunately it seems they are going to be told NO.

Answer 8

>>What about unjust laws?<<

The Catholic Church teaches that unjust laws are not binding:

"Authority is exercised legitimately only when it seeks the common good of the group concerned and if it employs morally licit means to attain it. If rulers were to enact unjust laws or take measures contrary to the moral order, such arrangements would not be binding in conscience." (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1903)

Answer 9

Because of Romans 13.

You draw the line when the law demands that you disobey God.

Answer 10

I didn't know they were.