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As Americans, we’re sometimes confused – or shocked – by laws from other countries. Foreign cultures may prohibit what clothes can be worn, who can vote, who can marry, and so on.
But the strangest laws in human history came from ancient Geneva, a religious city like no other.
In the summer of 1536, the now-famous theologian John Calvin approached the city of Geneva with the intentions of spending just one night before continuing on his journey to Strasbourg. But he was coerced into staying much longer by the tenacious William Farel who believed God had brought Calvin to town by His divine will. They tried to lead the influential city in Switzerland together, but it wasn’t long before both Calvin and Farel were forced out of town due to upheaval.
But in the fall of 1541, Calvin returned to Geneva…and this time, with an even more serious plan to bring religious reform to the city. One of his first acts was to draft a set of laws that would govern the populace. Some of the laws were fairly typical of his day: swearing, gambling, drunkenness, and sexual immorality were outlawed.
But some of the other laws were probably as strange then as they seem now. People were not allowed to play cards, speak disrespectfully to others, feast, dance, sing, create art, wear jewelry, or skip church. Oh, and all children had to be named after characters from the Old Testament.
That’s a lot of Hezekiahs.
First time offenders were usually let off with a simple warning, but second time offenses drew a fine of some sort . For those who were bent on wearing earrings to the town dance, steeper penalties were enacted. Some lawbreakers were banished from the city. A dad who insisted on naming his son Claude spent four days in jail. A rebellious kid who got into a fight with his parents was beheaded. Women found pregnant out of wed-lock were drowned (along with her lover if he could be found). In legal consequences, Calvin was no respecter of persons. His step-son was found guilty of adultery and his daughter-in-law was caught behind a haystack with another man. All four of the criminals were executed.
But legislating morality was as impossible then as it is now. No set of laws can make us righteous. No lengthy acts of morality can erase our immorality. No man can ultimately judge another. The failure of ancient Geneva is perhaps some of the best evidence of our need of Christ.
We don’t need a lawgiver as much as we need a Forgiver.
Resource’s Origin:
A World Lit Only by Fire: The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance by William Manchester. Little, Brown & Company, 1993.
Topics Illustrated Include:
Consequences
Culture
Expectations
Government
History
Law
Leadership
Legalism
Obligations
Penalty
Religion
Rules
Weird
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
