On the Relationship between Religion and Law——Also on the power of religion as a social power

Religion and law are two different means to adjust social relations,but they also share some common elements and sources about their philosophy and values as well as their manifestation.Generally speaking,the management power of religious groups together with influence of religious spirits on a society belongs to scope of social power.As for a religious state with a certain religion as its state religion,it combines such social power and state power together.The religious doctrine of that religion becomes state law while hierarch becomes spiritual leader higher than head of state,with a powerful status similar to party leader in a one-party dictatorship state.Anyway,as a belief,religion liberty is an absolute right just as liberty of thought.Since religion has some certain effects on maintaining social order,it is a bias to regard religion simply as the opium of human spirit,or some social heretic.However,as religious social power can have some negative impacts on a society,the exercise of such power has to be subject to legal restrictions.