if our laws are more restirctive today than in biblical times, doesn't that mean we are more moral?

Question

they have ten rules,

we have probably 10,000 and up per state.

we don't condone vigilante justice, something the bible asks people to embrace quite readily.

so don't we respect order more than the bible?

Our environmental and food guidelines are probably a hell of a lot more strict than any biblical dietary laws to ensure clean food.

while there might be a few things we permit that the bible doesn't (blasphemy, worshipping golden calves, etc.) we have taken the worst of all crimes (murder, rape, theft) and created severe punishments for them.

no longer can you get away with murdering your neighbor by providing him with 30 heads of cattle. no now you do hard time.

doesn't morality work both ways as well that it is immoral if the punishment doesn't fit the crime (I mean in the judeo-christian concept of morality- as thats what the bible is).

Answer 1

the less moral people are the more laws that are required ..

Answer 2

Interesting question.
Yes, we have more rules than in biblical times,but unfortunately, we also have a lot more "opportunities" to sin, or hurt.
I think that the average person does not (and should not) regard "biblical" laws differently than state laws.
On the other side, society norms change. Things that were considered normal and okay in the past are no longer considered the same way. Remember that in the old times, women, for example, were considered a property, just like a cattle. You even have a reminder of that in the Jewish wedding ceremony (the Hupah).
But would I give all that we've achieved as a man kind for the simplicity of biblical times? I wouldn't.
But that's me...

Answer 3

No. having more rules means that we have become more immoral. back in bible times people could trust each other to do the right thing. and their rules conserning food were less strict because they did not have all the different deseases that we have today. in the bible they had crime but they had a lot less crime than we do today. we have murders on every corner, roberies in every store, and even back stabbing a holes that dont even care what other people think. we can barely get enough police officers to make up for the crime going on today. Back then they had enough to keep up with the crime. we are less moral than they were. they had the decency to help each other out in the time of need.

Answer 4

We aren't more moral (by any means), we're just going with the flow. If you keep in mind the intended audience for the Bible, you'll see the logic. Basically, majority of the rules dont apply anymore.

Basically we don't need the Bible to know that murder, robbery, adultery etc is bad, as humans we just know. Laws highlight the fact that we will be punished for our actions in a way that reflect the evolved society you live in.

Peace.

Answer 5

Morality isn't a hard fast thing. What we consider immoral today, for example having slaves, at other times has been considered acceptable.

Likewise, nudity at least in the US, is really frowned upon but at other times or in other cultures there is nothing immoral about nudity.

So are we more moral in both these examples or just different?

Answer 6

Interesting point, although I don't know that it's fair to assume that more laws = better morals. I think instead, it's better to say that our additional laws create a more ordered society.

I also agree that punishments that don't fit crimes are immoral.

Answer 7

You can't legislate morality. At best, all you can do is pass useless laws against culturally unacceptable behavior. These laws are always ignored by the morally bankrupt, who pay bribes to corrupt officials to ignore their behavior.

Answer 8

I was just reading Nietzsche's take on that--he says that unless we are willing to allow our mores to adapt and change, mankind cannot progress. Therefore, religious codes hold us back from realizing our true potential; and should be abandoned in favor of a system that respects the right of the individual to choose what is right for him or her on most matters.

Not sure I 100% agree, but it was interesting.

Answer 9

hmmmm.....

I see what you mean, but I don't think I agree.

Taking the stance of judeo-christian reality (and playing devil's advocate at the same time, weeeeee!), it is not the severity of the laws that is important, but what they actually cover. It is precisely the lack of laws against idolatry and such that you mention, which makes the legal system immoral.

Not how I see it, but trying on other hats is fun.

Answer 10

What were the laws in Biblical times?

Are we speaking Roman Law, Jewish Law, Arab Law, Old Testament Law, ...............?

Or do you mean Christian Law from the beginning to now? Inquisition Law, Puritan Law, Burning at the Stake Law ........?

Answer 11

that's the problem with religion, you can't follow some of it,if you believe in the bible then you should have realized by now how far you have been removed from following it, it changes with the times and that proves to me that it is just a book produced to gain control over the masses