THE MORALS OF THE HOUSE 333
In the first place it is only in modern times that Law has been separated from Religion. In all ancient Society, Law and Religion were one. As Prof. Max Muller [1] points out that though :—
“Law seems naturally to be the foundation of society, and the bond that binds a nation together. Those who look below the surface have quickly perceived that law itself, at least ancient law, derives its authority, its force, its very life from religion……..The belief that the law giver enjoyed some closer intimacy with the Deity than ordinary mortals, pervades the ancient traditions of many nations. According to a well known passage in Diodorus Siculus, the Egyptians believed their laws to have been communicated to Menvis by Hermes; the Cretaus held that Minos received his laws from Zeus, the Lacedaemonians that Lykurgus received his laws from Apollon. According to the Arians, their law giver Zarathustras had received his Laws from the Good Spirit; According to the Stoe, Zamolixis received his laws from the goddess Hestia; and according to the Jews, Moses received his laws from the God las.”
No one has pointed out more forcibly than Sir Henry Mains [2] that in ancient times religion as a divine influence was underlying and supporting every relation of life and every social institution when he says of Religion as:
“A supernatural presidency (which) is supposed to consecrate and keep together all the cardinal institutions of those times, the state, the Race, and the Family ”.
From this superntural presidency of Reigion, Law had notsucceded in finding an escape until at a later time when law Finally breaks away from religion but not without leaving many traces to show the link it had with Religion at the very beginning of human history.
Again it is only in modern times that a difference is being made between Religion and Ethics. Religion and Ethics are inextricably and indissolubly bound together. Morality and Ethics are essentially practical. As Prof. Jacks insists [3] that the problem of Ethics is not merely getting the Good understood but realised, not merely getting the Right placed on scientific basis but done. Morality is a mere matter of defining what is good and what is right. Prof. Jacks rightly says :
“Whenver we embark on the study of morality without interest in its application I cannot but think that it is not morality we are studying. Morality does not arise till the point of application is reached. The effect of a moral theory launched upon the world is
1 Science of Religion, pages 150-151.
2 Ancient Law p. 6.
3 “ Morals and Religion ”— Hibbert Journal Vol. XIX. pp. 615-621.