The Rule of Law and Morality

[_The Dude]

John Larsen:

You make an interesting analogy in the OP. I never thought of the current "morality war" in the same terms as the shift of legal authority during the Enlightenment (as you describe it). But yes, if legal order can derive from the people, and not from an authoritarian figure, then why not moral authority as well?

The problem is, we still see anarchy from time in places around the world. How long has Somalia been without a government? The same thing could happen with moral authority, obviously. Someone who believes that morality has to come from "a God" can always cite examples of moral anarchy as a challenge to your analogy. This is the problem with analogies. They can actually weaken a good argument instead of strengthen it.

I think your basic idea is correct, though. People can reach a moral consensus, more or less, about how to behave in relation to fellow men. It doesn't really come from a God. More like humans project right and wrong onto their idea of "god". How many times has it been said that he's made in our image....

[_The Dude]

I don't think you've ever read Deuteronomy.

The Law of Moses is like the book that comes with your new copy of Madden football. Its not really necessary to read it if you already understand and have a feeling for the game.

Maybe, in the 21st century, we know better than to follow the ancient laws of Deuteronomy. So why bother reading it. It will only screw up your game at this point.