What is God's Law?

[Niblo]

I for one agree that it doesn't prove anything how many people believe in God. I don't, and you are both wrong. But this is completely besides the point, isn't it?

This place is not about proving who is right or wrong. This is Interfaith Dialogue. We try to understand the other person, we don't have to agree with everything they say, and vice-versa. This is not about reaching consensus regarding the one true belief system, but about reaching a mode where we can talk about our diverse and often contradicting beliefs without getting bogged down by the question of who is right or wrong.

I think this basic premise is clear to all participants. But admittedly, it is easy to lose sight of this in the heat of an argument. So please, let's take a step back and review the reasons to be a person posting in an Interfaith Dialogue forum.

Kthxsbye

Hi Cino,

I trust you are well.

Have not forgotten our 'Sufi' chat. In šāʾ Allāh, will re-join you very soon.

Peace.

 

[muhammad_isa]

I believe spiritual law may often seem to be the opposite of natural law. The Sermon on the Mount is a good example, but the message runs through all that Christ said and did, imo

..what you are implying is that you see a sermon as "law".

..when most people think about law, they think about things one can be prosecuted for.
..like murder, or adultery, or theft etc.

I think we need to distinguish between spiritual guidance and the above.
I'm not saying that one is more important than the other.
They are BOTH important, imo.

Who makes the laws in a country?
In a democracy, that would be the people's representatives.
It follows that what "the people" believe affects a nation's laws.

It seems that in the West, secularism is very popular these days. It follows that the majority of people
would rather make their own laws than base it on scripture.
..but then, the churches have been replaced by shopping / leisure centres

 

[RJM]

what you are implying is that you see a sermon as "law"

I'm saying that spiritual law may often seem to be the opposite of natural law -- survival of the fittest, or of the herd or tribe -- as Christ explained in the sermon on the mount, and by his words and life.

when most people think about law, they think about things one can be prosecuted for.
..like murder, or adultery, or theft etc.

These are the ancient tribal mores, necessary for the tribe, but not always applicable outside the tribe. Murder was only murder if I was killing a member of my own tribe; I was entitled to whatever I could take from a conquered tribe, including their women.

seems that in the West, secularism is very popular these days. It follows that the majority of people
would rather make their own laws than base it on scripture.

Whose scripture?

 

[RJM]

The problem is that in a world of 8 billion people, there is a great mixing of races and tribes and religions and customs. So it is agreed by most 21st Century nations that the people should have an equal vote about the laws they want to have.

It's not perfect. But it's better than anything else at the moment.

There are countries ruled by religious laws, most of which include laws that outlaw the practice of other religions, or of other sects within the ruling religion.

So which ones have God's law?

Should my country's laws be imposed by religious fundamentalists, telling me what to eat and what to wear, etc? Telling me what I may think, in fact. Or should I have an equal vote in my country's laws?

 

[wil]

..when most people think about law, they think about things one can be prosecuted for.
..like murder, or adultery, or theft etc.

I believe the Jew counts over 600 commandments in their bible.

Are they laws?

The Christians count 10....and then one more....and give homage to the beatitudes...mostly lip service not actually things that should get in our way as a nation.

Sharia law...idk how that is administered exactly but what I have seen from the radicals it is too extreme for me.

I do believe all religions had a role as quasi govts attempting to bring peace, tranquility, cooperation, cohesion amongst a people/village/valley...until we began nation building, drawing lines in the sand. The religious law (vs G!d's law) replaced by secular law.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Should my country's laws be imposed by religious fundamentalists..

No. If you paid attention to what I said in my post, you would not have to ask that question.

Who makes the laws in a country?
In a democracy, that would be the people's representatives.
It follows that what "the people" believe affects a nation's laws.

Do I agree with democracy? .. yes.
Do I agree with the majority? .. No, not atm.

The way forward as I see it .. communication and patiently wait for people to change.
"to see the light"
It will get worse before it will get better.

 

[Cino]

I do believe all religions had a role as quasi govts attempting to bring peace, tranquility, cooperation, cohesion amongst a people/village/valley...until we began nation building, drawing lines in the sand. The religious law (vs G!d's law) replaced by secular law.

Counter-Example: Buddhism started out as a movement of homeless people with a spiritual interest. The precepts for monks and nuns explicitly forbid political engagement, so as not to alienate any alms-givers.

 

[RJM]

The way forward as I see it .. communication and patiently wait for people to change.
"to see the light"
It will get worse before it will get better.

Fair enough.

 

[RJM]

The problem would arise when people take on the responsibility of judging and punishing other people on behalf of God?

 

[wil]

The problem would arise when people take on the responsibility of judging and punishing other people on behalf of God?

Yupperz