A Journal for The Contemporary Church

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Unjust Law and False Truth

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‘False Truth’ is clearly a contradiction in terms. It presents, under the guise of truth, something which is in reality false. Law is important in human society; but what is presented as law may sometimes be unjust. ‘An unjust law is not law (‘Lex iniusta non est lex’).’ This saying is attributed to St Augustine (A.D. 354 – 430). He wrote: ‘It does not appear to me that it is in fact a law, when that law is not just.’ (On the Freedom of the Will, 1. 5.11). St Thomas Aquinas says it is “not law but a perversion of law.” (Summa Theologiae I-II, q95, a2).
Legislators have a difficult job. The formulation of legislation can be difficult and demanding. Where laws are found deficient they need to be amended. It is particularly serious if false truth influences our legislation and those entrusted with formulating legislation.

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