I believe that the law is the basis of the progress of society and that the rule of law means the sovereignty of the state

both since the fear of punishment is quite real for breaking the law

In Christendom, it is a line of thinking that recognizes only or principally the motivation of love, not fear or material interest: the cisterciens (St. Bernard, Guillaume de Saint-Thierry), Marguerite Porette, Fénélon, Molinos, etc. It is know as doctrine of "pure love", but the officials of Church maintains a value for the motivation of fear. I have written about it in my "L'être et la joie..." A classic book in this matter by Roousselot on the conception of love in St. Bernard and cistercians authors.

think you but my Q was about law

In matter of legal systems, the discussion is expressed in another terms, seemingly but not equals. In a part of the systems, the goal of pains is the punishement of crim, i another countries, the goal of pains is the rehabilitation an reform of the citizen (I know the case of Spain). One effect is the legal prescription of a murder 30 years after has been committed, because the system is not based in punishement, otherwise than in the USA.

The two together

Thank you very much to all the participants in the answer

Law must be respected because it regulates many things of our lives, but the truth is that we surrender to it because we fear punishment?

Naturally, without punishment, many will break laws.

Both obviously ....and a holy person love and fear the creator (ALLAH in mybelief) only and treat to human and anything created with great respect and love. Hence, he /she will be law abide in this world and after his/her departure (death) from the world.

A capital punishment for an insignificant action will always generate a fear of punishment, whether or not people respect the law.

I do respect the law but some amount of fear leads to staying within the law

In the country where I live, laws are often written and approved by a bunch of incompetents.

The Magistracy, among other things, is in chaos.

Draw the conclusions.

The law regulates the public relations, which the state considers to be regulated by the relevant legal norms. They provide for a certain behavior that everyone must observe in their relations. That is why I believe that this can not be about love of the law, but rather about the obligation to observe the law. The penalty for its part has two functions: 1. to punish the violator and re-educate him; 2. to show the rest of the public that if they break the law they will be punished. So the fear of punishment exists, but it has a secondary character. The first and most important thing is that everyone should be convinced that the laws should be respected.

At a religious level, christian spirituality, as a topic, make a distinction in three leves: "amor servilis" (fear from hell), "amor mercenarius" (desire of Heaven), "amor filalis (Love of God in himself). In Spanish letters, that doctrine is enclosed inside a well known sonnet (14 verses): "No me mueve, mi Dios, para quererte...". I have already spoken, in th legal side, of debate between two goals of justice: punishment (fear) and rehablitation.

I respect the law of God and humanity.

Happily, the law acts more much often as a civic teaching than as a punishment. The human nature is not entierely bad.

Respect the law but in my country i doubt the law

Do you respect the law or fear punishment?

I prefer to respect the law in view of the benefits it brings e.g. an order & peaceful society providing everyone is practicing the same. Also if you respect & observe the law, there is no reason for you to fear punishment. Think people fear punishment because they might not observe the law or taking short-cut etc. that fear to be get caught for punishment.

احترام القوانين والتشريعات والعمل بها هو جزء مهم ومن تطور المجتمع وتقدمه وتنظيم سير حياته ورؤيتي المتواضعة أن بعض فئات المجتمع تحترم القوانين حباً لها والبعض الآخر لتفادي أي عقاب

Both together, and it depends on the culture and awareness of the society in which you live.

A related thread to this interesting Question is:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_it_more_important_to_protect_the_innocent_or_punish_the_guilty

Law is enriched to adhere limits of humanity. I adhere to it

As a citizen of any country it becomes our moral duty to maintain the law & order as the citizen of the country .The question of Fear & punishment comes only of our wrong action also in a criminal line & for our wrong action whether we remain afraid but we have to be prepared for the punishment as per the law .

This is my personal opinion

Both

In most cases, according to the eternal nature of man, he is afraid of punishment.

"Both of Them" - is a very thoughtful answer by Dr. Sajda Taha Mahmood

Both together.

In the side o Justice and courts: the goal is only punishment or also rehabilitation? In my country, it is a prescription for murders, because it is not necessary or not possible to rehabilitate an old person, 30 years after the crim.

Both of them

Respect the law.

love makes all success with some time taking

punishment some times give negative results

Law must be respected.

Both....

Both.

I remember here the rule of "epikeia". One can be dispensed of respecting a law in the case where the acomplishement strict of the law would turn against the goals and intenstions of that law.

Yes I respect the law but at the same time there is the difference between people who respect it out of fear and those who obey the law out of a sense of duty or character. It means thatpeople who obey the law out of fear, do not agree with the law and defined rules and regulations. In fact, they have to accept the law forcefully

I do not fear punishment because I respect and obey the law.

All the laws in my country, and whichever country I might be visiting.

Absolutely

In the cristian spirituality, we found the school of "pure love" (St. Bernard, Molinos, Fénelon, etc.) that devaluates the motivation of reward (Heaven) or punishment (Hell), considerates as "amor mercenarius" and "amor servilis", respectivily. Fort the majoriti, fear may be positive at the beginnings of spiritual way but, at the achievement, the soul have to attain the pure love, without fear or will of regard. The biblical text of reference is : "Timor Domini, initium sapientiae", translated as "The God's fear is the beginning of wisdom". I speaka about this in in my PhD, "L'être et la joie".

Law that is just, fair, and credulous towards social and economic development should be respected. Punishment is feared when the government displays a totalitarian behaviour towards the public while telling the global community that they value democracy.

When civilization came about the purpose of the law was meant to be an agreement between people that these were the rules we are to uphold for in order to prevent the collapse of humanity. But it's quite difficult to abide by the law when there are double standards and certain individuals feeling that they are above the law. Because we don't want our lives to be turned into a "Lord of the Flies" drama we need to be assured that the law represents flexibility in fairness and justice for all.

Both of them, law is a punishment.

We should respect the law to avoid the punishment.

I think when everybody obeys the law we can have a peaceful city

Both

If you respect the law, there should be no punishment.

Both things come together in my view.

Is it obligatory to respect all types of worldly laws? And to fear also?

Depending on the nature of the law and the degree of conviction

I fear punishments and embarrassments a lot so I simply respect every law wherever I find myself. I zero tolerance to unlawful behaviours.

I respect both.

If the penalty fits the crime, according to social custom and practice, there is nothing to fear.

For me I respect very very much and I think that punishment is very necessary for every person who does not respect the law

Both of them,

In a free and open society, I do not fear punishment as I do not expect it.

both together. Some respect the law. Some fear the law.

But I think the majority respect the law because of fear

I respect the law and all that it stands for in a corruption-free society.

Both deserved respect and equal importance. It is our moral duty to follow and respect laws in any part of the world.

Both. You should understand why a law is a law and also understand that if you break that law, even on accident, there will be punishment.

In a free society, there should be no reason to fear the law.

I only respect the law. I don't fear lawful punishment.