Christianity in United Kingdom

Meaning of Christianity

The following is an old definition of Christianity [1]: The system of doctrines and precepts taught by Christ; the religion founded by Christ. Christianity is said to be part of the common law. ” Christianity is parcel of the laws of England; and, therefore, to reproach the Christian religion is to speak in subversion of the law.” ” The essential principles of natural religion ” and ” of revealed religion, are a part of the common law, so that any person reviling or subverting or ridiculing them may be prosecuted at common law.” ” The true sense of the maxim is that the law will not permit the essential principles of revealed religion to be ridiculed and reviled.” Christianity is a part of the common law of Pennsylvania in the qualified sense that its divine origin and truth are admitted, and therefore it is not to be maliciously and openly reviled and blasphemed against, to the annoyance of believers or the injury of the public. Not Christianity founded upon any particular religious tenets; but Christianity with liberty of conscience to all men. The maxim does not mean that Christianity is an established religion; nor that its precepts, by force of their own authority, form part of our system of municipal law; nor that the com:ts may base their judgments upon the Bible; nor that religious duties may be penally enforced; nor that legal discrimination in favor of Christianity is allowed. The best features of the common law, especially those which regard the family and social relations, if not derived from, have at least been improved and strengthened by, the prevailing religion and the teachings of its sacred Book. But the law does not attempt to enforce the precepts of Christianity on the ground of their sacred character or divine origin. Some of those precepts, though we may admit their continual and universal obligation, we must nevertheless recognize as being incapable of enforcement by human laws. Those precepts, moreover, affect the heart, and address themselves to the conscience; while the laws of the state can regard the outward conduct only: for which reasons Christianity is not a part of the law of the land in any sense which entitles the courts to take notice of and base their judgments upon it, except so far they can find that its precepts and principles have been incorporated in and made a component part of the law of the State. The maxim can have no reference to the law of the National government, since the sources of that law are the Constitution, treaties, and acts of Congress. See further Law, Common; Blasphemy; Holiday; Policy; Religion; Sunday.

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Notes and References

1. Concept of Christianity provided by the Anderson Dictionary of Law (1889) (Dictionary of Law consisting of Judicial Definitions and Explanations of Words, Phrases and Maxims and an Exposition of the Principles of Law: Comprising a Dictionary and Compendium of American and English Jurisprudence; William C. Anderson; T. H. Flood and Company, Law Publishers, Chicago, United States)