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Natural Laws Dictate The Ethical And Legal Norms Of Society

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Natural Law by definition is an unwritten body of moral principles that dictate the ethical and legal norms of society. Our Founding Fathers believed that societal norms were derived from immutable principals given to us by God or a supreme power, and adherence to these immutable principles and/or natural laws would aid in creating harmony within a society. James Wilson, once stated, “The law of Nature is Universal. For it is true, not only that all men are equally subject to the command of their maker, but it is true also that the law of Nature having its foundation in the constitution and state of man, has an essential fitness for all mankind and binds them without distinction.” (Manion, p. 530) According to this, under the idea of Natural Law all men are created equal. The Founding …show more content…

(Davis, p. 245) This social glue allows for us to understand that the motto, “In God we Trust” is printed on money, that prayer is still allowed by presidents at official functions, but that the choice of which God you trust, develop or choose to worship will not be determined by those in power because those leaders are bound by constitution to secure the rights of the people and not take any away. (Davis, p. 245) Our Founding Fathers saw government as a vessel to “inspire individual and collective action in order to either reform or propose and establish new conduct, institutions and positive law.” (Reck, p. 511) Again, given the belief that all action whether by the government or individual was guided by God (Laws of God), and that this societal norm of obedience was inherent (Laws of Nature); per James Madison, “legislature must not obstruct ones obedience to god, because they cannot protect them from his

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