Religious law
Ethical and moral codes from religious traditions.
Religious law comprises the ethical and moral codes that arise from religious traditions, serving as a framework for conduct and governance within faith communities. Examples include Christian canon law, Jewish halakha, Islamic sharia, and Hindu law. The application of such law varies: in some jurisdictions, it governs only the adherents of that religion, while in others, civil authorities may enforce it for all residents. The relationship between religious and secular authority takes different forms. A state religion, or established church, is a religious body officially endorsed by the state, whereas a theocracy recognizes a deity as the supreme civil ruler. In theocracies and certain religious jurisdictions, conscientious objectors may cause religious offense. These systems contrast with secular states or multicultural societies, where the government does not formally adopt a particular religion and may either repress all religious activity or enforce tolerance of religious diversity.
Within specific traditions, religious law has distinct characteristics. In the Baháʼí Faith, laws are based on authenticated texts from Bahá'u'lláh, with subsequent interpretations and legislation by central institutions. These laws are presented as general principles and guidelines, emphasizing individual conscience and reasoning in their application, though some social laws are enforced by Baháʼí institutions. Obligatory practices include reciting one of three daily obligatory prayers and observing a Nineteen Day Fast from sunrise to sunset from March 2 through March 20, during which Baháʼís in good health between ages 15 and 70 abstain from eating and drinking. Gossip and backbiting are prohibited. In Buddhism, the Patimokkha provides a code of 227 rules for monks and nuns. Christianity offers several definitions of religious law: the Mosaic Law from the Old Testament, including the Ten Commandments; the instructions of Jesus in the Gospel, known as the Law of Christ; the Apostolic Decree of Acts 15, still observed by the Greek Orthodox Church; and canon law in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches. Canon law, derived from Greek and Hebrew terms for rule or standard, originated as rules adopted by church councils and governs the organization and discipline of these Christian bodies. The Catholic Church’s canon law was the first modern Western legal system and remains
- field
- Religious law
- known_for
- Ethical and moral codes from religious traditions, including canon law, halakha, sharia, and Hindu law
- examples
- Christian canon law, Jewish halakha, Islamic sharia, Hindu law
- related_concepts
- State religion, theocracy, secular state, conscientious objectors
Lore & Background
Religious law encompasses ethical and moral codes derived from religious traditions, including Christian canon law, Jewish halakha, Islamic sharia, and Hindu law. In modern times, Christian canon law is distinct from secular state law. These legal systems may apply only to a religion’s own adherents in some jurisdictions, while in others, civil authorities enforce them for all residents. In the Baháʼí Faith, laws are based on texts from the founder, subsequent interpretations, and legislation by the Universal House of Justice; they are presented as general principles and guidelines, with emphasis on individual conscience and reasoning, though some social laws are enforced by Baháʼí institutions. Buddhism includes the Patimokkha, a code of 227 rules for monks and nuns. Within Christianity, religious law can refer to the Mosaic Law (including the Ten Commandments), the instructions of Jesus (the Law of Christ or New Covenant), the Apostolic Decree of Acts 15, or canon law in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches. Canon law is the body of laws made by ecclesiastical authority for governing Christian organizations, initially based on rules adopted by church councils. The Canons of the Apostles is an ancient collection of ecclesiastical decrees. The Catholic Church’s canon law was the first modern Western legal system and remains the oldest continuous one. In theocracies and some religious jurisdictions, conscientious objectors may cause religious offense, whereas secular states may repress all religious activity or enforce tolerance of diversity.
Reader's Guide
Religious law serves as a foundational element in many societies, providing ethical and moral guidance derived from religious traditions. Its significance lies in its dual role: for adherents, it offers a framework for personal conduct and community governance; for states, it can be integrated into civil law or remain separate. The article highlights the diversity of religious legal systems, from Christian canon law to Islamic sharia, and notes the varying degrees of enforcement by civil authorities. This diversity underscores the ongoing tension between religious and secular legal systems, particularly in multicultural societies where tolerance or repression of religious activity may occur. The concept of religious law also raises questions about the relationship between faith and governance, as seen in theocracies where a deity is recognized as supreme ruler, versus secular states that do not formally adopt a particular religion. Understanding religious law is crucial for comprehending historical and contemporary legal systems, as well as the interplay between religion and state power.
Did You Know?
- Religious law includes Christian canon law, Jewish halakha, Islamic sharia, and Hindu law.
- In some jurisdictions, religious law may apply only to that religion's adherents; in others, it may be enforced by civil authorities for all residents.
- A theocracy is a form of government in which a God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler.
- Secular states may either repress all religious activity or enforce tolerance of religious diversity.
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