The Fall of the Priests and the Rise of the Lawyers

This fast-paced, inspiring and original work proposes that the secular legal systems around the world provide an immeasurably bigger and more comprehensive moral regime to govern our lives than the religious codes. Backed by potent and haunting images the book states that the law, for all its faults, is the one universal ethical framework that everyone believes in and that the law is now by far the most important ideology we have for our survival.
The reach of the law extends not just to crime and the family, but also to vast realms relating, for example, to money, banks, tax and corporations and even securitisations and derivatives. The immense influence that the law has raises fundamental moral challenges.
The author explores the decline of religions and the huge growth of law and makes suggestions for the future of law and lawyers.
The innovative summaries of both the main religions and the central tenets of law worldwide provide useful insights into both the law and religions. The book will appeal to lawyers, economists, philosophers, scientists and many other specialities and is written for the general reader.
Written by one of the most important lawyers of our generation, this exciting and powerful new paperback is a major philosophical statement for our times as witnessed by its enthusiastic reception when first published in 2016.

“A most compelling read for all persons, not just lawyers or law students, concerned with the sustainability of our human race and of our planet earth. A true sui generis tour de force by one of the great international and comparative legal minds of our time, who sees law and the rule of law as the linchpin for grounding scientific rules/theories, relevant economic propositions and the spiritual searches ingrained in the great world religions.” —Amazon

“My hope is that Philip Woods' book will become mandatory reading in introductory law courses around the world, replacing the jaw-droppingly boring texts which accompany subjects such as 'Legal Institutions'” —Business Law International

“In future decades and centuries, the law, rather than religion, will ensure humanity survives. This exciting proposition is explored in this unique and expansive work ... It is an impressive work, revealing the author's deep knowledge of the subject matter ... this fascinating book would be an excellent resource for any keen student of law and religion.” —Alternative Law Journal