God help us then (if such an entity exists).

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. [Orwell]

Probably within fundamentally Islamic countries there is more logic behind it. Our laws probably originated from Christianity to quite a significant extent, despite the country no longer being predominantly Christian.

I know what you're saying though Jamie. Religions, in my opinion, when taken literally can create some funny behaviours many of which are unpalatable to outsiders.

I don't suppose Matt is about to defend some of the odd crimes and punishments based on religious laws, but when you're in another country and they have laws, you can't defend yourself by querying the origin of the law you've broken.

Common sense mainly - with a firm eye on history, custom and tradition.

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. [Orwell]

It is an evolving process surely. Laws alter through the will of individuals and situations arising that set a new precedent.
Religion had a place in that since it was considered truth, at least by the masses, but now it has no place in law in terms of divine judgment or at least interpretation of divine judgment by men. Of course some of the same guidelines might remain such as the ten commandments for example but clearly morality evolves to reflect the influence of knowledge and society in general as much as the reverse.

Which is really how philosophy works. Ideas change and evolve over time, and new ideas create a shift in how we view right and wrong.

I prefer ethics to morality, which tends to be based on the idea of a truth - That said there are clearly minimal laws of behaviour that are required for society to operate.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Logic in that you and I ought to be able to put 2 and 2 together and work out how X country got Y law Jamie. Don't misunderstand me just to prove a different point to the one I was making. I hate religion and think it's all bulls***. I don't disagree with you on that.

There are some places that allow cannibalism but if someone rocked up here and had your Mrs with a nice Chianti you'd be a bit miffed right? You wouldn't say "that's it, send them home". The law is the law, if you go somewhere else you find out what the laws are and their associated punishments. If they are f**king ridiculous it doesn't give you carte blanche to go against them and then try to use the stupidity of the law itself as a defence.