Question
Given the system that exists in administration of justice in the United States, what elements of the system do you feel work well or impede the completion of the judicial process? Does our judicial process relate to biblical principles? .
Sample paper
Judicial Process
One of the elements of the U.S. judicial process that works well involves religious neutrality. The U.S. justice administration system does not take sides regarding religious matters. The justice system recognizes religion as a unique good that is vital for society (Schmidt, 2004). However, the state opts to remain neutral in matters relating religion owing to the different understandings of religions among different religions denominations in the U.S. Another element that works well involves the aim to rehabilitate offenders rather than punish them. This is a modern dimension taken by the justice process after realization that the traditional approach did not yield good results. Some elements impede the completion of the judicial process in the U.S. justice administration. One of the elements involves reverse discrimination whereby in spite of efforts to eliminate the problem of discrimination, another new aspect related to the same problem has emerged. Reverse discrimination occurs when the law selectively favors those who were previously discriminated.
Although the United States is a secular state, the judicial process relate to the biblical principles in various ways. The judicial process borrows heavily from Christian or biblical teachings in various aspects. In administration of justice, the judicial process advocates for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens (Schmidt, 2004). Some of the fundamental rights and freedoms involve the right of belief, right to assemble, freedom of association, expression, and others. Similarly, the Christian doctrines emphasize about freedom of humankind and the will to remain free by stating clearly that no man should be above the law. Even the king is below God and law. Some elements of the U.S. law directly borrow from Christian teachings. Deuteronomy 19.15 states, “One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed…” In line with this, the justice process requires testimonies from a number of witnesses in order for a person to receive conviction of a crime (Schmidt, 2004).
Reference
Schmidt, A. (2004). How Christianity Changed the World. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
How government has overstepped biblical principles in some form of economic policy
