Law #4

The terms of equality and justice spread with a wide range of interpretation within our society. One of the most common places to find these terms used most often is when it comes to law. Equality can often be discussed with relation to both race and gender differences. In these areas is when equality and justice can often be slighted. When personal opinions and personal pride are raised above the concept of justice, equality between race, gender, and rank can all have major difficulties. As far as the Critical Legal Studies go, the lawyers seek to break down these barriers in order to create equality and therefore justice within the law. Although you can see that some of these "breaking down of barriers" can line up with the Christian faith, others do not when these organizations seek to destroy limitations on marraige. This encourages same sex marraige as well.

Many verses in the Bible give clear instructions on how one should seek both equality and justice. We are given an innate sense of right and wrong, just and injust. We are to stand for those that are unfairly being oppressed and we are to turn from violence. We are to approach justice with the same love and mercy that is shown to us. We are to act with ultimate goodness in an immitation of God's love. One of the ultimate commandments we are given is to look after those who are less fortunate and those who are weak. Our society should not thrive off of power and social ladders, but rather humility and selflessness. Problems in the law most often arise when one takes advantage of their gifts and gives no consideration to anyone other than themselves. The root of all kinds of evil (greed, lust, racial tension, gender tension, status barriers) are all due to the pride of our sinful nature.

Muslim Laws

Although Islam and Christianity have similar views of theism, there are many differences as well. Islam recognizes Allah as the ultimate lawgiver who has complete control over their fate. Therefore they are held to certain standards of the book of the law and these are extremely strict. Their good and bad are weighed accordingly to determine their ultimate fate and this also will add to the following of the law. Differing from Christianity (where God is merciful to his people and he loves them) Allah is just the ultimate judgement who is impersonal. This type of faith lacks all forms of grace. The laws given to the Islam faith are extremely strict and expected to be followed in accordance with Allah's provision. So although we both answer to an all powerful being (although Islam's is impersonal), there are many differences. The Quran and the Hadith are the basis for their faith whereas we look to the natural law that we believe is divine as well as the written law given to us in the Bible. As Christians we are given freedom within the bounds of God's law whereas the freedom of the Islam faith is extremely restricted. Therefore the Islam and Christian view of law differs greatly.

Standards of the Law

We as humans do not hold the rights to the laws. God is the ultimate law giver and he has made clear his laws in the Bible. Although I do believe that we have an independent responsibility to uphold the laws given to us, I believe that there is a point where we need to divide the rules given to us by government and by God. We are told in the Bible to respect those in authority, and this also means their laws. There comes a point though where we need to recognize if man's laws go against God's laws. In cases where man's law conflicts in when we are given responsibility to interpret laws on our own. We must always reference God's law above any other law and this is when we are to determine the accuracy of the two laws lining up. Overall we must have discernment in a fallen world and we must constantly strive to live for Christ and this means following his law above all else.

Laws

Since Sarah is a Secular Humanist, this makes since. Secular Humanists revolve around the idea that society creates their own rules. This rejects the idea of any spiritual law or law that is above any other (or applicable to all of humanity). As a Christian, I believe there are far more laws beyond what the government instructs. Since we unfortunately do not live in a society that is rooted in the Bible, I believe there are not only laws put in place by the government, but also moral laws that we all should abide by. The idea of God's law is put in place even when traced back to Adam and Eve. They were put in the garden of Eden and were given one simple rule or "law" and they broke it. This is evidence of humanity's sinful nature. Therefore I do not believe that humanity should govern their own laws, but in fact we should be governing ourselves through the law that God has set for us. God is our Creator and he has set laws for us and we are subject to only his judgement in retrospect.

The Christian's View of Feminism

As Christians we should recognize that men and women were created with equal spiritual importance. Men are not superior to women and this is made clear in the Bible. Men and women were created for the same purpose: to bring glory to God. Although we are equal in the eyes of God, we do have different roles on this earth. Women are not meant to be pastors or kings, or roles of such leadership. This is reserved for the men, whose instincts were given for him to be a hard worker. Women are given a more nurturing side, which lends to how women are to care for their family and bear children. Although we are given different responsibilities between the two genders, both roles are significant. I believe that Christian women should not try to assert themselves into the roles that are given to men in the Bible. We should recognize the differences between the roles of each gender but also realize that we are all of equal spiritual importance.

Themes in Pride And Prejudice.

     One of the most evident themes in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice is the reputation of women within society. The necessity of a woman fulfilling all the standards of what it means to be "feminine" was crucial at this time. Any woman who defied what society held as normal for a woman, was often looked down upon by other women. For example, when Elizabeth walks all the way to Netherfield and arrives there with her shoes and skirt full of mud, Miss Bingley turns up her nose at her and treats her with less respect. Since it was uncommon for a woman to disregard the way she presented herself, this was shocking to such a reputation oriented Miss Bingley. Also we see the importance of a woman's reputation in the emphasis put on marriage. Mrs. Bennet is a character who cares so much about the reputation of her children that she is nearly obsessed with the idea of her daughters marrying. For instance, in chapter nine Mrs. Bennet brags of Jane saying "I do not like to boast of my own child, but, to be sure, Jane—one does not often see anybody better-looking. It is what everybody says. I do not trust my own partiality." Mrs. Bennet takes pride in the fact that her daughters possess the qualities of a good spouse. Since reputation was so important in this society, Mrs. Bennet would often brag of how well her daughters were. These necessary feminine qualities for women were what determined the essential reputation of a woman.
        The ideal reader would interpret the marriage theme as mocking the view that marriage is essential in society. The ideal reader should recognize that within this point in history marriage was viewed as important to further one's social status. This point is proved in the first few lines of the novel when it states that "it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." Not only did the novel acknowledge that society made it necessary that one finds a spouse, but it also assumes that all singles must be in WANT of a spouse. The fact that Austen says that this point is universally acknowledged shows that this was a very common view at this time. Marriage throughout the novel is seen more as something you must do for financial comfort and stability (as seen the the marriage of Mr. Collins and Charlotte). The only exceptions of this are in the relationships of Elizabeth and Jane to Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. Therefore the ideal reader should recognize that marriage in this time was more for financial and societal reasons.
           I believe that marriage is sacred and should be between a man and a woman who both share the same values and therefore plan to spend the rest of their lives together no matter what the terms. I do not think that marriage is a necessity for all people but is for those who long for companionship and commitment. Therefore nowadays I don't think that marriage is seen as more financial and status based, for in most cases it is seen as occurring when you love another. Overall I want to marry someone who treats me well and shares my values, if I don't find someone like that I most likely will not marry.

Sexist? Homophobic?

Although many misinterpret Christians as being homophobic or sexist, this is quite untrue of many. Personally, although I do not agree with the practice, it does not mean that I have a fear or hatred towards them. I just see it as a choice, and although I believe it is a sin, I too sin on a daily basis. I definately do not hate them for the Bible instructs us to love all people. Even Jesus walked with the prostitutes and tax collectors, so who are we to say that we are better than them. But under the charges of Christians being homophobic, this is very untrue. This word literally means a fear of them. Although Christians may not approve, they are not afraid of homosexual people. Christians recognize marraige as a sacred union between a man and a woman, so yes, we do not agree with their practices. As far as the sexes go, men and women were both created in God's image and both are loved equally. Although men and women are very different, we still fall under the same standards in the eyes of God. We must each take responsibility for our roles in this world because we are both called to be followers of Christ, building his kingdom in heaven and expanding his followers. Therefore, we do not discriminate between the sexes for within Genesis our roles are founded.