Law of the land or Law of God?

Question

Okay, if you believe and follow the Bible imagine this scene:

In the future it becomes Federal Law that anyone who does not believe in evolution is a criminal and will be locked up for ten years. (Insert backstory that would lead to this law being passed, I'm not a novelist).

As a devout Christian would you publically deny evolution knowing it would get you locked up, or would you lie and say it was true, knowing you were lying to God, and running the risk of going to hell?

Now really think about it like it was happening right now.

Also remember that I'm pretty sure in the Bible it says to respect the laws of the land, so really it's a lose-lose situation here too.

What would you do?

Answer 1

give unto Cesar what is Cesar's and to god what is gods

Answer 2

Denying evolution is not "the Law of God." There is no verse or canon that commands Christians to either oppose or deny evolution. On the contrary, the Bible, the canons of the ancienct Church, and the writings of the Church Fathers all allow for a personal belief in evolution, just as they allow for a denial of evolution. Human origins are not, and never have been affirmed in Christian dogma, and never been added to any traditional Christian Creed or Confession of Faith. It is wrong to assume that there is a distinctly "Christian" position on every conceivible topic. Christian dogma is actually a very narrow category, and only includes matters of faith that are beyond the reach of scientific scrutiny.

Otherwise, if a 'law of man' actually does contradict a 'law of God,' we are obligated to follow the Law of God.

Answer 3

Since it is impossible to demonstrate the existence of god, let alone of any laws thereof, the question cannot arise: you follow the law of the land. But it will never occur that a law will require belief in evolution (notwithstanding that it is now a proven fact) nor a belief in its falsity. The only place where such runs into legal issues is in attempts to teach non-scientific alternatives to evolution in public schools, such as in the Dover school board case, where the judge correctly ruled that "intelligent design" was not science and had no place in a school science class.

Answer 4

I'm a Baha'i believing both in Christ, and the excellent wisdom of God of the progress of evolution, in order that greater good may ever be experienced.

Undoubtedly, if not for evolution, mosaic law would not have led to Christ's mission, nor Christ give way to Baha'u'llah (Glory of God). Therefore evolution is evident even in religion, even St. Paul spoke of it, saying God does not give new commandments except it be for something better, referring to Christ's mission over Moses'; though the two were as intimate of agreement as to be the same Spirit, if their followers were of equal times....

However, being truthful is all important unless it causes others progress by lying; prison is thus preferable unless the lie is somehow helpful to others, and not merely the preservation of selfish earthly freedom. It is no help to the justice of society, for a society of liars, not willing to admit what will make them happy, if only they'd consent to truth.

Answer 5

I believe in God, but to completely deny that evolution exists would be admitting ignorance. Everyone came from Adam, but if people did not adapt to their environments after thousand of years of living in a specific place, then all chinese would look like african americans who would look like whites.

Answer 6

Religious law should ALWAYS take precidence over any other authority. To do other wise is to weaken the position of religion, and to weaken the validity of ones belief. When in conflict Religious law is sacrisanct and should ALWAYS be the sole deciding factor.

Answer 7

I would get locked up. We do not have to support the law of the land if it contradicts the word of God. God wouldn't want russians to deny him, but by law religion was illegal. I would stand by Gods word over conceding to lies.

Answer 8

No no no... You respect the law of the land, as long as it goes along what the bible says. God does not tell us to sin against him, to follow the land.

God first, government second, if they go hand in hand, great, if they dont, God always comes first!

Answer 9

I accept as true with that different fellow. i do no longer think of God might ask one in all those area of me. even nonetheless someplace in the Bible (i won't be in a position to remember) he asked somebody to kill his very own son as a try of his faith. If i individually become confident that it become God asking that of me, confident i might bypass kill that dude, i've got had some e book/discussions that communicate approximately eternal existence and eternal damnation, the latter does not sound like too superb of a place to me, haha

Answer 10

God comes first and I would never admit to something that was a lie. I would happily go to jail.

Answer 11

When Jesus was in front of Pontius Pilate, he said, "all who love the truth are my disciples".

If evolution is the truth, it has no need of being foisted upon the populace.