The Reference of Religion Is Conscience, and the Reference of the State Is the Law
Editorial verification status: This atom is extracted from an explanatory audiovisual source, and has now been linked to the closest books within the Shahrur project at the book level. For precise academic citation, consult the original book and the original episode together.
Formulation of the claim
Shahrur distinguishes between the reference of religion, which is based on conscience and fear of God, and the reference of the state, which is based on law and fear of punishment.
Explanation
He sees religion as operating internally in a person’s conscience, thereby creating an inner moral self-regulation. The state, by contrast, regulates behavior through law and penalties. Thus the two references do not overlap: one is an inward ethical reference, the other an institutional legal one. This distinction prevents the mixing of preaching with politics, and prevents turning law into religion or religion into coercive law.
Its place in the argument of the episode
This atom establishes the functional division between the religious and civil spheres within society.
Scope of the claim
The idea does not say that law lacks an ethical dimension, but rather that the source of its binding force is different from the source of religion’s binding force.
Brief evidence
“Its reference is conscience… and its reference is the law”
Related links
- Shahrur - Religion and Power
- Shahrur - Jurisprudence
- Book: The Qur’an in Contemporary Thought