Home
/
RELIGION & LIBERTY ONLINE
/
Buckley on law and Christian morality
Buckley on law and Christian morality
Jan 4, 2026 9:34 PM

From a CT interview in 1995 by Michael Cromartie:

Certain things which the market authorizes simply in terms of law are unchristian and ought not to be done. The big issue today has to do with the fidelity of marriages. The tendency now to leave your wife because you have an infatuation with a younger woman of tenderer flesh is an enormous temptation. It’s carnal, and it’s also easy to justify with all the solipsistic reasoning that we hear today. That is about the gravest offense that a human being mit, to throw away a wife.

From this it doesn’t follow that the state should make the law tougher, but rather that the culture needs to be reformed. Modifying the law is only one way, and often not the best, to do that: “…unless we create a virtuous society, it’s not a society that’s going to endure. So the right things should be encouraged and the wrong things discouraged. Today, roughly speaking, there is zero taboo against fornication.”

The whole thing is worth reading, as they say (HT).

Comments
Welcome to mreligion comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
RELIGION & LIBERTY ONLINE
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on 1 John 2:18-23   (Read 1 John 2:18-23)   Every man is an antichrist, who denies the Person, or any of the offices of Christ; and in denying the Son, he denies the Father also, and has no part in his favour while he rejects his great salvation. Let this prophecy that seducers would rise in...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Proverbs 3:1-6   (Read Proverbs 3:1-6)   In the way of believing obedience to God's commandments health and peace may commonly be enjoyed; and though our days may not be long upon earth, we shall live for ever in heaven. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; God's mercy in promising, and his truth in performing:...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Luke 6:1-5   (Read Luke 6:1-5)   Christ justifies his disciples in a work of necessity for themselves on the sabbath day, and that was plucking the ears of corn when they were hungry. But we must take heed that we mistake not this liberty for leave to commit sin. Christ will have us to know...
Verse of the Day
  Hebrews 11:11 In-Context   9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.   10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.   11 And by faith...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Titus 2:11-15   (Read Titus 2:11-15)   The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel, is for all ranks and conditions of men. It teaches to forsake sin; to have no more to do with it. An earthly, sensual conversation suits not a heavenly calling. It teaches to make conscience of that which is good....
Verse of the Day
  John 17:13 In-Context   11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power ofOr Father, keep them faithful toyour name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.   12 While I was with them,...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on John 11:1-6   (Read John 11:1-6)   It is no new thing for those whom Christ loves, to be sick; bodily distempers correct the corruption, and try the graces of God's people. He came not to preserve his people from these afflictions, but to save them from their sins, and from the wrath to come; however,...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Matthew 7:15-20   (Read Matthew 7:15-20)   Nothing so much prevents men from entering the strait gate, and becoming true followers of Christ, as the carnal, soothing, flattering doctrines of those who oppose the truth. They may be known by the drift and effects of their doctrines. Some part of their temper and conduct is contrary...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Hebrews 13:1-6   (Read Hebrews 13:1-6)   The design of Christ in giving himself for us, is, that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and true religion is the strongest bond of friendship. Here are earnest exhortations to several Christian duties, especially contentment. The sin opposed to this grace and...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Romans 12:9-16   (Read Romans 12:9-16)   The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good,...
Related Classification
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.mreligion.com All Rights Reserved