To: beezdotcom
Of course, I don't want to live under Sharia law, either. But I don't quite agree with your wording. I think a Christian is specifically under an obligation to at least respect the Christian sense of morality in writing laws. In some cases, that may indeed translate to taking an amoral approach to the law, because it best allows the Christian to practice his morality. However, amorality is a slippery slope, too. No, I wouldn't expect a legislator of any religion to write a law that specifically contradicts his moral views. I wouldn't expect a Vegan to write a law making the eating of meat mandatory or a Muslim to try to outlaw head coverings for women. However, if one is going to participate in the business of governing, there are rules to follow. In the US, that means not writing one's religious views into the law. If I were allowed to insert my Christian beliefs into law then there would be nothing to stop a Muslim from inserting Sharia law into our legal codes. Since I do not want the latter, I cannot insist upon the former.
147 posted on
08/10/2004 1:20:50 PM PDT by
Redcloak
(Kids, drugs are bad. Mmmkay?)
To: Redcloak
If I were allowed to insert my Christian beliefs into law then there would be nothing to stop a Muslim from inserting Sharia law into our legal codes.
That's not entirely true...unless Muslims comprised a majority of the voting bloc, or unless there was an activist court with a Muslim bias, it would be difficult to do.
By the way, what rule is there about writing one's religious views into the law? With few exceptions, you can't get a law to stay on the books (well, indefinitely, anyway) unless supported by a majority of people. If it's supported by a majority of the people, is it still a religious view, or a societal one? If a court decides it, then the interpretation is subject to their own biases.
I guess I'm just a bit of a cynic, and I ALWAYS assume there's going to be bias in law and interpretations - in which case, I'd rather it be a bias I agree with.
148 posted on
08/10/2004 1:37:08 PM PDT by
beezdotcom
(I'm usually either right or wrong.)
To: Redcloak
However, if one is going to participate in the business of governing, there are rules to follow. In the US, that means not writing one's religious views into the law. It is not a mere "Christian belief" that killing the unborn is murder. There are even athiests who can recognize murder when they see it.
This isn't outlawing meat on Friday, this is a fundamental question of life. If gov't is not to be bothered with protecting life, what use is it?
SD
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