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These are distinguished from [[physical law]] in that they can be broken or disobeyed, and from [[civil law]] and [[common law]] by the fact that they have no enforcement agencies. However, it can be argued that it forms the foundation for many legal systems in the world.

These are distinguished from [[physical law]] in that they can be broken or disobeyed, and from [[civil law]] and [[common law]] by the fact that they have no enforcement agencies. However, it can be argued that it forms the foundation for many legal systems in the world.

Natural Law Theory is the official ethic of the [[Roman Catholic Church]].<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor_en.html Pope John Paul II, ''Veritatis Splendor'']; [http://www.pathsoflove.com/universal-ethics-natural-law.html International Theological Commission, ''The Search for Universal Ethics: A New Look at the Natural Law''].</ref> It was espoused by [[Thomas Aquinas]],<ref>See, for example, ''Summa Theologiae'', I-II, qq. 90-94.</ref> and argues that, as [[God]] created the universe and revealed His mind to man through the order inherent in things discernible by the natural light of reason, man can use his reason to discern God's Will by studying the natural world. For instance, a study of the male and female reproductive system naturally leads any sane person to see that their natural function is to come together for the purpose of procreation- so any acts excluding this purpose, such as [[homosexuality]], [[autosexuality]], [[contraception]], and acts during [[menstruation]], are wrong.  Before the encyclical ''Casti Connubii'' in 1930, some Catholics believed that acts during [[pregnancy]] or after [[menopause]] were also wrong as against natural law.

Natural Law Theory is the official ethic of the [[Roman Catholic Church]].<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor_en.html Pope John Paul II, ''Veritatis Splendor'']; [http://www.pathsoflove.com/universal-ethics-natural-law.html International Theological Commission, ''The Search for Universal Ethics: A New Look at the Natural Law''].</ref> It was espoused by [[Thomas Aquinas]],<ref>See, for example, ''Summa Theologiae'', I-II, qq. 90-94.</ref> and argues that, as [[God]] created the universe and revealed His mind to man through the order inherent in things discernible by the natural light of reason, man can use his reason to discern God's Will by studying the natural world. For instance, a study of the male and female reproductive system naturally leads any sane person to see that their natural function is to come together for the purpose of procreation- so any acts excluding this purpose, such as [[homosexuality]], [[onanism]], [[contraception]], and acts during [[menstruation]], are wrong.  Before the encyclical ''Casti Connubii'' in 1930, some Catholics believed that acts during [[pregnancy]] or after [[menopause]] were also wrong as against natural law.

==See Also==

==See Also==