Just Ignore the Godless Laws

Another story about a conflict over an Ultra-Orthodox Jew in Israel. A story carried on the WorldWide Religious News and attributed to CNN reveals that a Jewish woman who was accused of child abuse was released from jail and given house arrest. The group of which she is a part does not recognize the legitimacy of Israel and its rule of law. Consider this segment of the story:

The woman, whom police have not named, is from a radical sect of ultra-Orthodox Judaism known as Toldot Aharon, whose members believe that the modern state of Israel and its laws are a man-made creation beneath the religious teachings of the Talmud, the authoritative body of Jewish religious traditions.

The case and the riots highlight the existence in Israel of extreme ultra-Orthodox religious groups that are awaiting the return of a messiah and that reject modern secular culture.

The woman was arrested by police after staffers at a hospital passed on suspicions that her son was the victim of child abuse.

Police officials said they had collected evidence indicating the woman purposely starved the child. Police also said they had reason to believe the woman, who is five months pregnant, physically abused two of her other children.

A case like this, of course, raises huge questions.

How can any state exist when groups of its citizens claim that they can ignore the law because it is only man-made and God given?

Do you agree that God's laws, as you understand it, take precedence over any man-made law?

If so, should "true believers" act according to their understanding of God's laws, without regard for any human system of law?

Is this happening in places other than Israel?

What do you do with a religious group that claims the state has no power over them because they will only follow God's laws?