should the law take precedence over religious beliefs?

Question

i'm in a debate and i'm for the motion that it should
no idea what to say and the debate is tomorrow morning
help!

Answer 1

Yes and no.

Christinaity does not have authority over the Supreme Court.

But God does have authority of Christians.

Christians reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws.

However the citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to:
+ The demands of the moral order
+ The fundamental rights of persons
+ The teachings of the Gospel

We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Yes, absolutely.

Take Christians as an example:
Hitler used religion in his arguments for wiping out the Jews.
Creationists use the bible as evidence than evolution is wrong (despite almost all the main churches accepting it is right).
There are those who support discrimination on the grounds of sexuality based on their religious beliefs.
There are those who support discrimination on the grounds of gender based on their religious beliefs (more true of Islam than Christianity).

These are small examples of where groups of people are able to interpret one religious text in different ways. If religious beliefs took precedence over the law, then you could justify pretty much any position through a religious stance (eg. 'I had to kill her your honour, she was an adulterer and the bible says she should be stoned to death').

You would also see several new religions being started. Just to give people the chance to avoid imprisonment. What if a religion said paedophilia was a good thing?

Generally your debate (if it is in the UK) is likely to focus on the adoption agency issue. In which case I think the best argument is that it is wrong for religions to believe they are above the law. Compare the equal rights for homosexuals with equal rights for women. Or black people.

Answer 3

This is not an easy one. One of the things that Jesus taught was that we should obey the laws of the land. This is what He meant when He said to render unto Caesar, that which is Caesar's. But, there are recorded instances where disobeying the law of the land is the right thing to do. Read the book of Daniel for some examples.

Law should only take precedence over religious beliefs when law does not trample on religious beliefs.

I don't know if this is any help. I guess in the end, you must do what you believe is God's will. If law prevents you from obeying His will, then you must do what you can to change the laws so that you can obey God's will.

Answer 4

Yes.

Not everyone believes in the same religion. In order to treat everyone equally, with no one religion getting away with things the others can't, the law must remain impartial to all and hold the same rules regardless of religious belief.

To do otherwise is to invite war and hatred as some people feel slighted over others.

Answer 5

The regulation ought to take precendence. The preferrred courtroom has replied this many cases at the same time as it made prayers unlawful in college- purely study the circumstances! the U. S. is outfitted upon the separation of church and state; to that end, ideally we stay in an earthly society. the in hardship-free words reason it has grow to be this style of massive deal is because we now stay in a time the position concepts is got here upon out proper away. The republicans have tied on to the fee scales and faith scales of the U. S. and made politics a strive against antagonistic to Christianity and Secularization. If regulation hadn't taken priority over non secular beliefs then we ought to nonetheless have slavery; many southerners believed finished-heartedly that slavery grow to be supported via Christianity. as well to, Hitler concept that Christianity ordained his genocide. Many strive against that the founding fathers were Christian. properly, Mr. Franklin grow to be an envoy in France who grow to be universal to stay it up. as well, there's a huge difference between those that first settled the following, and those that wrote the structure. those that wrote the structure knew that there grow to be discrimination in preserving with faith and many guidelines were positioned into position to reduce the religions to that you ought to belong. So, they had to steer away from that. regardless of the indisputable fact that, once you have ever examine the Scarlet Letter, the position adultery grow to be punished significantly because of their non secular beliefs, this isn't what the 'founding fathers' agreed with. If a regulation of a body, ideally secular and religious blend, agreed on a punishment and crime then it ought to grow to be straightforward. certainly it has finished purely that. Abortion is actual not banned, gay marriage will be approved if not via the courts then via the authorities, and this evangelist nuance will be thwarted in time because the craze is growing better secular and liberal as people benefit better awareness about people and subject matters.

Answer 6

I think in a secular society, the law should take precedence over religious belief. The trouble starts when it is not clear if you are in a secular society or not. So in your debate you might ask if you are in a secular country or in one where the influence of Clerics
( Religious ministers etc) is strong. Religious influence will vary from place to place and from time to time as the various contentious events and ideologies come to public attention in the media. In my opinion it is always dangerous to allow Clericalism any political power or influence. The only outstanding exception to this I can think of was Gandhi in India. best of luck, give'em hell from me

Answer 7

Yes, the laws a society derives should override individual religious beliefs. Societal laws should be based on basic values such as individual rights rather than individual religious beliefs. Religious beliefs vary between different denominations and sects whereas societal laws should be based on things we all agree on such as not infringing on others rights to personal liberty, property rights, etc... In this way people can be free to follow their individual path with respect to their religious creeds and beliefs although they differ amongst themselves and yet we have a somewhat orderly society for people to live in. If religious beliefs are allowed to take precendence over secular laws it results in problems where people have differing beliefs and usually results in discrimination and suppression of minority faiths or against those of no faith.

This makes me think of a different but somewhat related issue. I recently discussed the fact that some Christian pharmacists are refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control because of their beliefs. My friends and I felt this was not fair since birth control pills are a legal prescription. Our feeling is that while people should not discriminate in hiring based on religion neither should someone who has a problem with their job because of religion be allowed to violate someone else's life because of it if they aren't doing anything illegal. We feel the store should be responsible to make sure all legal prescriptions are filled and that if someone has a problem with an aspect of their job because of religion then in most cases they should probably find another line of work.

Answer 8

In all circumstances it should.

Secular law has been the only way that justice and equality have increased in this country ever since the signing of the Magna Carta.

Answer 9

If a religion breaks a law it can not be allowed. ask the other person if this should apply to other religions as well, not just theirs. Remind them that there are other religions that want to kill them. Ask if it is OK for you to light up a joint as some religions find that OK.

When your religion affects other people it has crossed the line.

Answer 10

we must obey God before man. So if they ever directly conflict we will always choose God. I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses and this scripture has affected us in the past. Around the world we are imprisoned for refusing to join the military. Do some research.. you'll see.