Christians: Should US laws be Bible-based? Why or why not?

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   Levi Legionposted 8 years ago

   Christians: Should US laws be Bible-based? Why or why not?
   
   

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   Faceless39posted 8 years ago

   No: separation of church and state. The end.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for answering.

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   Niecey Docposted 8 years ago

   I would love to see all countries create bible based laws, because I long for, as Jesus said in his model prayer, "your kingdom come and will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven". I would love to see every part of the world begin to reflect God's kingdom and principals. I don't believe we'll ever see it manifested until Messiah returns, but we can still pray for it and do our part to bring it about.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks. Given your answer, are you aware that the Constitution of the US prohibits the establishment of religion?

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      fpherj48posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Levi..Now THIS is the way to ask ur question!...Bible based? ABSOLUTELY NOT. But 4 those who disagree, they're free to move to where there is Sharia Law. They should have FUN with that!

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      cam8510posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Denise, where did Jesus say His Kingdom was?  "Within You"  Why do Christians constantly get that confused with Washington DC and every state capital in the country?

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      While not allowing Congress to establish a religion (i.e. Church of England with say the President at its head), it does not permit the prevention of practicing it or mentioning things pertaining to a religion.  Private people can and do.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      No arguments there, Mike. People can practice their religions. The question deals with whether the Bible's teachings can become law in this country...and the Constitution says "No."

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Exodus 20:13  “You shall not murder."  We need to get this expunged from every state and federal government to avoid establishing a religion?  May I suggest Levi, you do not understand the establishment clause.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      May I suggest, Mike, that both you and I know that's not what I meant. Refraining from murder is NOT a Christian concept. It transcends religion. Compulsory church attendance would be a better ex. of something that should not be made law.

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the clarification.  Due to history, most our laws hail back to the founders's Biblical faith - if their source is of inter
      est.  The manner they incorporated it is as you say... not establishment of a church.

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   IslandBitesposted 8 years ago

   "No: separation of church and state. The end."
   
   100% agree

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks.

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   cam8510posted 8 years ago

   Your question uses the term Bible-based.  This implies purposefulness, so I will confine my comments to the purposeful crafting of laws for the United States from the pages of the Bible.  I'm not certain what side of this issue you are on as the crafter of this question, so don't take these comments personally if they don't apply.  On the other hand, if they do apply, feel free to take them personally. 
   
   What would be the motivating force behind this?  I know the Bible and there is no command, teaching or parable that would lead a person to believe that the laws of any country should purposely be drawn from the pages of the Bible.
   
   Some laws have a moral underpinning.  Others are merely practical.  All laws are for the purpose of providing an organized social and business atmosphere for citizens to conduct their lives. 
   
   Some would agree with the purposeful crafting of laws from the Bible, and they would end up cherry picking among the teachings of the Bible for whatever they wanted to turn into a law.  But we have to ask this:  If you are going to begin this practice, for what reason would you stop? 
   
   If you craft a biblical law against murder, why not a biblical law for Saturday being the Sabbath?  And on that Sabbath we would not be allowed to work or do much of anything else.  Why not?  It's in the Bible.  How about a law for tithing?  Every American citizen would be required to give ten percent of their income to the Christian Church of their choice.  Why not?  It's in the Bible.
   
   But that's not how it works is it?  It is much more sinister than that because it is also so much more random, left up to somebody, I don't know who, to decide which biblical principles will be turned into law and which will be ignored.
   
   In my opinion, if you go down this path, then be consistent.  Don't try to make us a lukewarm, Christian nation.  Go all the way.  Forced conversions, baptisms, communion.  Where and Why do you stop?

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Great insight. Some Christians seem to think our laws should be drawn from the Bible. I disagree for many reasons. The main reason is that the Constitution forbids it. Sounds like you've got a good grasp of the issue.

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      cam8510posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Good laws can come from anywhere, i.e. nature, philosophy, science and religious books. But adherents to those religions believe laws should come from their books regardless of the will of the people. Their god trumps democracy.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly, Chris. I have a Christian friend who insists the Constitution was designed to protect the Christian religion. Wow! They don't seem to understand that our laws were based on liberty and the ability to change them---not to create a theocracy.

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      The two great laws according to Jesus is "Love the LORD" above all and "Love your neighbor as yourself."  The whole Christian era is a time of learning what Grace is - the Reformation, etc.  Western civilization's law is the fruit of that.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Not entirely, Mike. The US Constitution, for example, was more a product of the Enlightenment Period and a resurgence of the importance of individual liberty...something that is NOT a Christian concept.

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   Levi Legionposted 8 years ago

   Mike Mitchell,
   
   Sorry but I had to delete your answer. Though you had some good points, I dislike having my questions hijacked and turned into a gospel message when that's clearly not the subject. Thanks for understanding.

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I do understand.  You don't see the relationship.  That's ok.  There actually is a direct correlation.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Ah, condescension isn't very helpful here. I understood everything that you wrote, Mike. What you may not understand is that the Constitution was designed to accommodate the changes in society's beliefs (i.e. becoming less religious). Thankfully.

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Condescension often is in the eye of the beholder.  Sometimes arguments are uncomfortable.  Better to delete them than deal with them.  You misunderstand the establishment clause, and I think purposely.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      As I said above, thankfully the founders crafted the Constitution to reflect the ever-changing beliefs of society, including becoming non-religious. Is this a concept you understand, Mike?

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I understand that a society can become less religious.  That is quite undeniable.  The problem is often one generation is ignorant of the last's understanding of simple words - like "establish".  Historical context is lost and dropped from a debate.

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   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   
   
   Exodus 31:15
   "Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death."
   Exodus 21:17
   "Whoever curses his father or his mother must be put to death."
   Leviticus 19:19
   "....thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: (neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee).
   You can't wear clothing made of two different fabrics? Really?
   These and many other "laws" listed in the bible are excellent reasons why the U.S. should never allow any religious doctrine to dictate it's laws. Most countries who are "religious states" are extremist, sexist, and practice discrimination in numerous ways.

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      cam8510posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent examples for a very relevant point.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer. Thanks.

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Gal 2:14:  Paul "...I said to Cephas in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?"  Christians do not live under the Law, but under grace.

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      cam8510posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Mike, your kidding right?  That is talking about the Old Covenant. We are talking about modern day laws of the United States.

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   bradmasterOCcalposted 8 years ago

   No, because it cannot comply with the 1st amendment.

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Paula, Sharia is a Koranic based - not Bible.  Apostle Paul said this:  "...I said to Cephas in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?"

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      fpherj48posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      MIke, Am well aware Sharia=Koran ="religion/faith-based example of Law." Both books contain violence, honor-killing, beheading, pedophilia, INSANITY. Jew, Muslim, Christian.(all guilty at some point of SAVAGERY. thanks to their barbaric beliefs).

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      MikeCMposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      News shows show that  too.  It's part of human society and not  Biblical teaching.  To the degree the savage beast has been tamed, you can thank Christian and indeed other religion's positive  influence.

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      Levi Legionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      If the genocidal maniac Jehovah of the Old Testament is the SAME God of the New, then you have a serious problem, Mike.

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