Religion and the law

• Christianity, Islam and Judaism all teach people to live good lives.

  This includes following teachings.

  The good things that people do will please God or Allah.

  The bad things that people do are called sins and people should avoid doing these as their actions will be judged when they die.
• Christians believe everyone is capable of evil.

  • In Christianity, the parable of sheep and goats says that everyone will be judged and separated into the good (the sheep) and the bad (the goats).
  • Jesus said that helping another person is like helping him. If you ignore someone in need of help, it’s like ignoring him. “ whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.“
  • Many Christians believe that evil is caused by humans misusing their free will - they believe that the original sin people are born with makes them capable of sin. Some say satan temps them to sin.
• Muslims believe Allah judges their deeds.

  • Islam teaches Muslims that Allah is merciful and those who have done good things will be rewarded but he will come down harshly on people who do bad things. “he admits whom he wills into his mercy but the wrongdoers -he has prepared for them a painful punishment.
  • If people intend to do something good that will help them on the day of judgement but if they intend to do something bad it won’t count against them.
  • Many Muslims believe that the devil iblis tries to make humans turn to evil.
• Law

  • The laws of the state define what’s right and wrong though this can differ from religious ideas.
  • Most nations believe that the rule of law is the best way of protecting people in society. Without law there is the risk of chaos. With it people know what they can and can’t do.
  • In the Uk laws are rules made by parliament and enforced by the courts.
• • Christianity, Islam and Judaism all teach that god has commanded people to follow law but some religious believers think that religious law is more important than the laws of the land.
  • Where religious law and state law disagree some believers think it’s better to commit a crime if it means they avoid committing a sin.
• Christians believe that sins and crimes are different.

  • Christians believe that a sin is when a religious law is broken. Eg. When God’s teaching is disobeyed.
  • Christians believe that a crime is when the state laws are broken.
  • They have a duty to look after other people and try to guide them to do what’s right and repent of their sins.
• Muslims religious law is called Shari’ah

  • Muslims have a clear religious law (shari’ah) and this is often the basis of state law in Islamic countries. For example Saudi Arabia is run according to this religious law.
  • Shari’ah councils in Britain make rulings according to shari’ah law but Uk law take precedence.
• Jews must follow the law and the Mitzvot

  • Judaism teaches that Jews should obey the laws of the land that they live in as well as following the 613 mitzvot (religious commandments) in the Torah.
  • Rabbinical courts (Bet Din) exist in many countries to sort out Jewish disputes. There are some in the Uk but Uk law has greater authority.
  • The Torah is filled with details of laws, rewards and punishments. But for many modern Jews, the punishments listed in the Torah are considered too extreme.