There are two ways of having an attitude towards law- minimalism and legalism. Minimalism refers to an attitude of doing only the least that is required by law in our moral life. Legalism refers to an attitude of strict observance of laws regardless of circumstances and possible harm to people involved. Minimalism and legalism are deceptive partners in our attempts to lead moral lives, and Jesus does not agree with having either of the attitudes.
Towards minimalism, Jesus encourages us to do more, and towards legalism, he encourages us to place concern for people and love of God over observance of law. Minimalism is basically just doing the bare minimum required of us by law, which means that in most cases we would not really have to give a care about others.
...This attitude means that we do not consider the needs of others. Examples of this attitude towards rules are rules such as traffic rules.They are broad and they do not mean that we have to be courteous drivers, it does not mean that we should give other drivers space to merge. Jesus would want us to give the space to merge and to be courteous and if someone is having trouble on the side of the road, rather then pass them, stop to help them.
Legalism refers to emphasizing strict observance of the law. So, this means that we can completely ignore love because the law does not say that we need to love everyone or anything for that matter.However we are called to love and to keep in mind the needs of other people so there is obviously some controversy between what w
are taught during mass and what law says if we have a legalistic mindset. An example of legalism is obeying speed limits and going the speed limit when a road is covered in ice, which is clearly not a good idea because you are at risk because the car is harder to handle and stop on ice. We are legalistic if we consider people good guys or bad guys on the basis of how they follow law.
Jesus was against both these attitudes towards law.He felt the minimalism was not doing enough, he wants us to simply do more and with obeying law, to also consider others and show love. Jesus placed concern for other people and love for them and God over strictly obeying law. This conflicts with legalism because it calls for us to have law come before others. Jesus also encourages moral muscle. Moral muscle is pushing ourselves to take extra steps in making the world a better place.
Jesus wants us to obey the law but at the same time keep in mind to needs of others and to love others and God more then obey the law.
- Business Law essays
- Contract essays
- Consumer Protection essays
- Property essays
- Ownership essays
- Agreement essays
- Common Law essays
- Contract Law essays
- Justice essays
- Security essays
- Tort Law essays
- United States Constitution essays
- Crime essays
- Lawsuit essays
- Treaty essays
- Family Law essays
- Marijuana Legalization essays
- Constitution essays
- War on Drugs essays
- Court essays
- Jury essays
- Police essays
- Protection essays
- Community Policing essays
- Criminal Law essays
- Judge essays
- Lawyer essays
- Employment Law essays
- Copyright Infringement essays
- Injustice essays
- Intellectual Property essays
- Breach Of Contract essays
- Jurisprudence essays
- Social Injustice essays
- Juvenile Justice essays
- Internet Privacy essays
- Cyber Security essays
- Bill Of Rights essays
- Civil Liberties essays
- First Amendment To The United States Constitution essays
- Fourth Amendment To The United States Constitution essays
- Second amendment essays
- Animal Cruelty essays
- Law Enforcement essays
- Juvenile Justice System essays
- Surveillance essays
- Forensic Science essays
- Crime Prevention essays
- Criminal Justice essays
- Criminology essays
