Is religion the most basic codification of natural law?

[Viking]

Well much much earlier, but when was it ever not there. That is new.

At some point, they came into existence; and I think it went along with the culture and the norms; who have not always been here either.

hmm... all the so called "pagan" religions seem culturally inclined... meaning based on local customs...
i know from experience Hinduism is based on customs than anything else...

Yes, but I think you will find that all religions are based upon where they originated. Christianity; having judaism as a precursor, a religion with promised land and a chosen people; cannot escape this either. But indeed some religions are more local than others. The "pagan" religions typically originated in a much more "closed" world than today's world religion; a world where the mere notion "world" would be meaningless. Religions necessarily (you can go and have a look for yourself if the thunder god Thor actually is up there with his hammer) always reflect the society they exist in; take scientology for instance.

[Fragony]

At some point, they came into existence; and I think it went along with the culture and the norms; who have not always been here either.

Well yes and neither has religion, but what would you consider to be the area of greatest consistancy. The rise of culture or the rise of religion within culture.

[Viking]

Well yes and neither has religion, but what would you consider to be the area of greatest consistancy. The rise of culture or the rise of religion within culture.

Religion sort of requires a cultural sense, so one would guess that religions would develop inside cultures and become an integrated parts of them.

[Kralizec]

The concept of natural law originated with the (polytheistic) Romans, and they didn't have a religious codification like the bible. Also, when something gets codified it wouldn't strictly be "natural" law anymore- do unto others as you'd have others do unto you gets its moral authority from revelation and not from reason as such. Natural law in catholic philosophy was divine law not enshrined in biblical texts.

[Fragony]

Krook, Maybe I have made a poor choice of words, I should have said social law, the tie that binds, the most basic laws that allows us to live together without cracking eachothers skull. Every civilization has them, but it's interesting how these basic rules are basicaly outsourced to something higher. It seems like human being understand they need rules that are 'above' them, and that religion covers the most basic ones until the system evolves into the actual codification of law of day to day reality, that is what I meant with 'natural'.

edit, codification is really way of as well, that would mean putting it down. Should have been 'Is religion the most basic understanding of social law'

[Ronin]

Krook, Maybe I have made a poor choice of words, I should have said social law, the tie that binds, the most basic laws that allows us to live together without cracking eachothers skull. Every civilization has them, but it's interesting how these basic rules are basicaly outsourced to something higher. It seems like human being understand they need rules that are 'above' them, and that religion covers the most basic ones until the system evolves into the actual codification of law of day to day reality, that is what I meant with 'natural'.

edit, codification is really way of as well, that would mean putting it down. Should have been 'Is religion the most basic understanding of social law'

in that wording I would agree....like I said back in ancient times with no police force and no military it would be the only way rules could be enforced.

[Ironside]

in that wording I would agree....like I said back in ancient times with no police force and no military it would be the only way rules could be enforced.

Or rather how to enforce your rules without needing to use military (hinduism caste system, I'm looking at you).
I mean if I go around and say that I should be on top because I say so, the lowly peasants might get some wierd ideas that if they ursup the power they can be on top. But if a god say so then those weaklings cannot ursup me without getting punished!

Admittable this has more to do with how religion ends up in a power position and later on as the basics for laws.

[Pannonian]

The concept of natural law originated with the (polytheistic) Romans, and they didn't have a religious codification like the bible.

The Romans relied on interpreters of divine will, rather than specified and well-defined rules which were accessible to everyone. They also relied on interpreters of Roman law, rather than specified and well-defined rules which were accessible to everyone. Both sets of interpreters were restricted to the patricians, who were loathe to share their exclusive access to divine and earthly law with the plebs. Understandably, the plebs didn't like this much, and pushed for the codification of earthly law, which were set and able to be read by everyone. Once they had access to the earthly laws, the plebs were content to leave divine law to the patricians, since after all they weren't that important to everyday life. The priests did come in handy though, at stressful times when the common folk needed some reassurance from an authority figure. A suitable sacrifice or two and a few rituals, and people's confidence would be up again.

Of course, that was in Roman times, and things are very different now.

[KrooK]

Thanks for remark Fraggony.
Just to add something to my previous post.
I don't know if into ancient civilisations before religion were that basic law* or invention of law was part of religion development. I think that it was rather first option.

Why?
Laws at the beginning had problem - how to find strenght to enforce law? How to force people to respect law? Union law with God demand was natural choice - in the first civilisations people were most afraid of Gods. And would do much to provide God's support. Gods are everywhere and knows everything. Thats why they believed if they broke law (which mean rising against God), they can't hide themselves anywhere.
On the other hand law supports social structure. And since the beginning of civilisation every church has best benefits into safe social structure. Thats why supporting given law supported religions too.

* By basic law or law of nature I don't mean "basics of law same or very similar for every country".
I mean something that has social function of law, don't have to be same or even similar into different countries but .... is understood as "basics of social structure organisation". - Theory of changeable law of nature. If I remember it well Petrazycki/Stammler theory.