LAWS 4006 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: John Calvin, Christian Ethics, Civil Society
Document Summary
2 intellectual traditions that shape western understanding of the relationship between law, society, and religious institutions: common law (legal tradition) constitutional law. Many supreme court judges were exposed too and raised in traditional western christian values. 3 major points about religion: virtually every religion that is practiced today is historically prior to the modern state, religions assert priority to their followers. No rule of law, no influence of religion. There is a common acknowledgement that religion and the state are 2 separate spheres. Idea that the state should not be based or interfere with religion comes from christian tradition and not found in many other cultures and religions. First theologian to think about the influence and relationship of religion and the state. Bishop who wanted to find answers to how his followers should respond to the roman empire. Christians always refused to venerate the emperor as the god, which was a requirement under the pagan roman empire.