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'''Natural Law''' is the concept that there is inherent in nature a set of laws, one of the gifts of [[God]] to man at his creation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.libertyfund.org/pll/quotes/215.html|last1=Blackstone|first1=William|title=Sir William Blackstone differentiates between “absolute rights” of individuals (natural rights which exist prior to the state) and social rights (contractural rights which evolve later) (1753)|date=May 5, 2009|quote=The absolute rights of man, considered as a free agent, endowed with [[discernment]] to know good from evil, and with power of choosing those measures which appear to him to be most desirable, are usually summed up in one general appellation, and denominated the natural liberty of mankind. This natural liberty consists properly in a power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, unless by the law of nature; being a right inherent in us by birth, and one of the gifts of God to man at his creation, when he endued him with the faculty of free will.}}</ref> to which humans must adhere. These laws are considered to be self-evident, in that they are able to be observed by everyone. Some, including [[atheist]]s, dispute that natural law actually exists; some others argue that it conflicts with [[sola scriptura]].<ref>[http://www.mun.ca/animus/1998vol3/kirby3.htm Richard Hooker's Discourse on Natural Law in the Context of the Magisterial Reformation]</ref>  [[Inalienable rights]] flow from the fountain of Natural Law.

'''Natural Law''' is the concept that there is inherent in nature a set of laws, one of the gifts of [[God]] to man at his creation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.libertyfund.org/pll/quotes/215.html|last1=Blackstone|first1=William|title=Sir William Blackstone differentiates between “absolute rights” of individuals (natural rights which exist prior to the state) and social rights (contractural rights which evolve later) (1753)|date=May 5, 2009|quote=The absolute rights of man, considered as a free agent, endowed with [[discernment]] to know good from evil, and with power of choosing those measures which appear to him to be most desirable, are usually summed up in one general appellation, and denominated the natural liberty of mankind. This natural liberty consists properly in a power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, unless by the law of nature; being a right inherent in us by birth, and one of the gifts of God to man at his creation, when he endued him with the faculty of free will.}}</ref> to which humans must adhere. These laws are considered to be self-evident, in that they are able to be observed by everyone. Some, including [[atheist]]s, dispute that natural law actually exists; some others argue that it conflicts with [[sola scriptura]].<ref>[http://www.mun.ca/animus/1998vol3/kirby3.htm Richard Hooker's Discourse on Natural Law in the Context of the Magisterial Reformation]</ref>  [[Inalienable rights]] flow from the fountain of Natural Law.

Natural law was adopted by many state constitutions, similar to the [[Declaration of Independence]] but not expressly included in the [[U.S. Constitution]].

Natural law was adopted by many state constitutions, similar to the [[Declaration of Independence]] but not expressly included in the [[U.S. Constitution]]. [[U.S. Supreme Court]] Justices have relied on natural law for some of their opinions.

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.