The Impact of Religious Belief Culture on Legislation: In Regions of EU and Fujian

Abstract

The interplay between cultural beliefs and legislation is a critical area of study, particularly in regions where religion significantly influences societal norms and values. This paper explores the influence of religious beliefs on legislation by examining key theoretical perspectives and empirical case studies. It begins with an analysis of the ideas of prominent philosophers--Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Karl Marx, and Max Weber--who provide distinct viewpoints on the role of religion in shaping law. This paper then delves into two different empirical studies: the influence of Christian animal welfare on European Union (EU) legislation and the Mazu Mediation Room in Fujian, China. Understanding how deeply the cultural religious principles shape legal frameworks provides foundations considering human rights and social justice, and how religious culture cooperates with the enforcement of law. By studying and comparing these contexts, this paper focuses on analyzing these religious influences on legislation, investigating their impacts, and suggesting the future development of laws in religious regions. Ultimately, the paper wants to contribute to a broader sense of the relationship between religion and legislation, discovering the need for a legislative approach that respects local religious culture while upholding universal human rights and social justice.