Across the world, legal systems are based on one of three fundamental systems. There is Western law which is divided into civil law and common law. Then there is religious law. Each country has its own unique legal system that includes variations of civil, common and religious law. Some have a combination of all three. Civil law is based on concepts, categories and rules derived from Roman law, with some influence from canon law, sometimes largely integrated or modified by local customs or culture. The tradition of civil law, although secularized over the centuries and placing greater emphasis on individual freedom, promotes cooperation between human beings (PAUL M. HEBERT LAW CENTER). Whereas the common law is a set of rules that outline private rights and remedies and govern disputes between individuals in such areas as contracts, property and family law; distinct from criminal or public law (Rogowski, Ralf). Both types of laws are influenced by religious law, which I would like to talk about in this article. Europe has turned to the Catholic Church to understand how to deal with legal disputes. The Church had its own set of laws and procedures to implement it. Faith in God and his holiness will protect the innocent. There are 3 main types of religious law. There is Sharia law in Islam, Halakhah in Judaism, and canon law in most Christian groups. Muslims, Jews and Hindus believe that the gods they worship give them their Law. Religious law is intended to harmonize human behavior with spiritual decree. Jewish law, Halakhah, is the entire body of Jewish law. It governs all aspects of life in the Jewish community from food, to marriage, to crime, to business practices and clothing. Religious law brings a community of believers willing to abide by these…middle of paper…as a certain religious group feel their ways are effective for them. Everyone has their own beliefs, so if one feels that this is the path they want to go, then I don't think there's anything wrong with that system because of our first amendment. I believe that religious law is very effective and will always be here and will always be the basis of new laws to come. Work Cited Page • “LSU Law: Civil Law: What is Civil Law?” LSU Law: Civil Law: What is Civil Law? Np, nd Web. 02 March 2014.• Rogowski, Ralf. 1996. Civil Law. New York: New York University. Print• Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1983. Print.• “Theocracy.” Merriam Webster. Merriam-Webster and Web. March 02, 2014.• “Religious Discrimination.” Religious discrimination. Np, nd Web. 03 March 2014. “http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/religion.cfm”