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From: HWT@bnr.ca (H.W.)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: re: Christianity and Law
Message-ID: <Mar.18.11.55.54.1991.8523@athos.rutgers.edu>
Date: 18 Mar 91 16:55:59 GMT
Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu
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Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu

Dave Gross presents cogently the case that law must be based on a moral
framework.  He then palms a card by introducing 'relative morality', and
concludes in left field, at least.

John Stuart Mill's famous "your freedom to swing your fist ends where
my nose begins" is far closer to the minimal framework.  The pagan
ethic 'Do no harm' is quite sufficient (and I'd argue necessary) as
the basic of a tolerant multi-cultural system of law.

This has consequences, of course, that may be offensive to many: no laws
on sex. marriage, or other 'moral' issues.  Forty-five people want to
marry each other - fine.

There are, of course, points at which there is disagreement on what is or
causes harm - that's what judges and legislators are for.

So, although Dave is right that historically 'life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness' were derived from Judeo-Christian axioms, they can
be derived from pagan/humanist principles.

P.S. in Canada, we're only guaranteed 'peace, order, and good government'.

Henry Troup - HWT@BNR.CA (Canada) - BNR owns but does not share my opinions
"If you have taken a vow of perpetual poverty, you must take your deduction
 on line 256" - 1990 Canadian Tax Guide