Religion and Law Today

While walking near Court street and Borough Hall in Brooklyn, I Looked up into one of the courts building and was so excited and shocked at the images in the wall that I would usually not notice if I’m listening to music ignoring the details of my surroundings. Court Street has a perfectly named because it is where multiple courts of Brooklyn are located. The one court I am taking picture of is The Supreme Court of the State of New York . On the side when you look at the image it shows an image of Moses with the Ten Commandments and holding them up for all to see and three people at lower level observing him and by the expressions of their face are accepting the right and wrong thing to do. On the other side of the court is the image of  Blind Lady Justice where we can see that the court and law stands and focuses on being fair and blind to any bias . On the bottom level of Blind Lady Justice we see another group of people that seems to be representing a family and how they are protected under law. The reason this was so grasping and attention grabbing to me because you don’t realize how much of a role religion could play in the law even today . When thinking of this whole place the reading that came to my mind was the reading of LISTEN,AMERICA! by Jerry Falwell. This text is something that once you read it, it will stick with you no matter if you agree or don’t agree with the text and what he saying.  He touches on many topic in urgency for us to really understand how much religion is needed in our lives and explaining the reason as to why we are failing to be the cause of us forgetting religion over all. Falwell picks the last epistle from Apostle Paul to emphasize the importance of law and Religion. The passages states…

            “ I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all me; for kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 tm. 2:1-6) ( Falwell 215) 

      The points that are bolded and highlighted are the ones from the epistle chosen by Falwell that I could relate to this image and Location . The prayers for all in authority can relate to how religion is brought into to court even today. We may not necessarily pray for those making decisions unless you are in the case and need to fall back on your faith for support , but when a witness is called up they must swear on a bible to speak the truth. This is taking seriously if you lie it will not only be against the law but also a sing as in the Ten Commandments where the 9th commandment states “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” This also relates to living in a life of godliness and honesty. The last part that is bolded is important because it represent that no matter what there will only  be one high power and It is God and only one mediator between world that is Jesus Christ. 

 I have walked past the court but it wasn’t until after this reading that the importance of religion in todays life really became evident to me .  There is an even split of Religion and Law since each has their own side and the detail is beautiful for both . It is something I would definitely recommend looking at if you ever pass by Court street in Brooklyn, New York  or any major court building in general.

                                                                   Works Cited

Falwell, Jerry. "LISTEN, AMERICA!" A Bantam Book/ Published by Arrangement with Doubleday Publishing Co., Aug. 1980.