If we had no laws and just followed reigious beliefs, would it be a better world?

Question

Or would it be utter chaos?

Say there was no law, and you could do whatever you wanted as long as you followed your religious beliefs. Do you think that would be a good thing? Of course, this would mean that terrorists would get away with killing infidels, and mormons could marry dozens of wives, and Christian Scientists could withhold medical treatment from their kids even if it meant they would die.

If you think it would be chaos, does that show that morals don't come from god, but come from man? And that it's man-made law, not religion, that is the glue that holds society together?

Answer 1

Religious laws are outdated and don't really apply to society today. Of course, some religions do promote some good ideas, like not stealing, killing, or lying. However, those tend to be standards of most societies, no matter what the religious beliefs are. In addition, there are some really terrible laws that have done much harm, even in this day.

It's much better to actually think for yourself, instead of just regurgitating what some church tells you.

Answer 2

The mix of many religions without law would be certain chaos.

Some(certainly not all, not even most)religions such as Amish are ruled by religion before law(no taxes, etc) and live peacefully. However it can be argued successfully that the cause for this is that the Amish live in a collective society where the needs of the group are put above the freedoms of the individual.

More personal freedom means more chance for disputes about religion. Who's right? Who's wrong? That's why we need laws!
; )

Answer 3

All of our laws are man-made, but that's not to say they can't be divinely-inspired. That would be a false dichotomy.

Jesus said something along the lines of - and this is a gross paraphrase - God gave people laws and rules to follow because they are basically too stupid to figure out on an individual basis what is right. So the Christian religion isn't something apart from law, either. That's a false dichotomy, too.

So the answer is no, that doesn't show that morals come from man rather than God. And you're not smarter than the founding fathers who believed that religion was the glue that holds (democratic) society together.

Answer 4

St. Thomas Moore, was a politician - chancellor in Brittain during the time of King Henry XVI. All he did was to vote against the formation of a new church under the King, through separation form the Vatican. The king didn't like this so they tried to bring up a legal claim against him. They couldn't find anything corrupt in his work, so they simply changed the laws in order to be able to get rid of him.

Now he is the patron saint of politicians.

Laws protecting human rights are completely in line with religion, and they also protect the religious from persecution. Without them there WOULD be chaos.

Answer 5

you have a good point. if everyone followed the 10 commandments, things would be ok. if everyone followed the us constitution, we would be ok. same way with the original laws of other countries. they dont matter tho. no one is ever satisfied with the way things are. it seems to be human nature to want change, its both good and bad. the main thing is people in general cant handle power over others. it doesnt matter if its political or religious. all the wars that have ever been is because someone told someone else to kill someone they dont know. religion has been the reason for most wars, but its governments that have fueled them. look at our country, the government of, by, and for the people has become a separate entity, has been for a long time and is getting worse, day by day. its the leaders, both political and religious, that are screwing things up. get rid of all of them, then it would be a better world.

Answer 6

It'd be utter chaos at first. I think that people would then begin to self-segregate into religious communities--the Christians over here (then they'd have to divide "here" into their different denominations), the Muslims over there, the Hindus somewhere else, etc. Within the communities, I guess things would probably be ok--people could stone who they wanted to, make whatever laws they wanted about sex and marriage, etc., with no argument from anyone else.

It'd be a lot like I imagine the Dark Ages to be, actually...

Answer 7

As you pointed out, it would only work if everyone followed the SAME beliefs. Then there would be no such thing as infidels and marriage would be agreed upon and no one would raise a fuss about someone's choice of medical care. Everyone would be in agreement. That being said, which religion would be best for everyone to follow? lol

Answer 8

The notion that laws prevent people from doing wrong is not very accurate. People are prevented from doing wrong by a combination of a genetic predisposition to social behavior and cultural pressure. Laws generally describe what happens when people do not behave ethically, rather than how to behave ethically.

Ethical behavior, being a product of genetics and culture, predated religion.

Answer 9

Utter chaos.
You can't have just religion holding it together. Because everyone has different beliefs. It wouldn't work , period, because it would just be anarchy all over the place.

Answer 10

Well, the first laws were really apparently religious laws, but I'd like to think we moved past that state into not creating omnipotent figures to enforce our rules for us in practicality.