Do we have a duty to obey unjust laws?
@beautifulceiling (1300)
United States
6 responses
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
25 Jan 07
It is not so much a duty as it is an obligation.
You are not given any choice in the matter. If you break any law, they will punish you for doing so... so that you won't break it again.
If you keep on breaking it... they will lock you up. In some cases, they will call you insane for refusing to obey, and they will lock you up in a mental institution.
The law is more powerful than God and the only way to fight it is by voting against it so that whatever you feel is unjust does not become law.
1 person likes this
@beautifulceiling (1300)
• United States
25 Jan 07
But aren't some things so entrenched that the laws will never be changed without civil disobedience? I think that sometimes people start accepting something as "right" just because the law says it is, and unless you get people's attention by breaking that law, it will never change. You're right that they will lock you up, but some people have chosen to accept that and that is when the issue really starts getting discussed. Kevorkian comes to mind, along with civil rights leaders and anti-war protesters. I'm sure there are lots of other cases where people have chosen incarceration for something they believe in.
@ikinta (1236)
• Indonesia
25 Jan 07
Laws and rules are made by ourselves.or at least the people who have the authority.Its an agreement and we should commit to it.For example,you have to follow the rules of your religion. Its the same in a country.If we dont agree with it, maybe we can leave and make our own country with our own rules..
@beautifulceiling (1300)
• United States
27 Jan 07
There are places in the US where it is basically illegal to be homeless. They use loitering laws to punish people who do not have anywhere to go. What would you suggest homeless people do to avoid being punished for something beyond their control?
@cuddleme01 (2725)
• Philippines
25 Jan 07
yes we have the duty to obey the law even if they seem unjust. i learned of a legal maxim in our school:
"DURA LEX SED LEX"-- it means "THE LAW MAY BE HARD BUT THAT IS THE LAW". We have no choice then but obey.
@manong05 (5027)
• Philippines
25 Jan 07
Laws are inherently just. I have yet to see an unjust law, harsh, maybe but not unjust. The law maybe harsh but it is the law. (dure lex sed lex) As good and law abiding citizen it is our duty to obey the laws of the land of we have to face the consequences of disobedience. Some people who believe some laws are unjust (like too much taxes) resort to civil disobedience. Such action does not have a place in modern civilized society. Some laws are amended or repealed to meet and address the needs of the modern society but all is done in the right way and with due process.
@beautifulceiling (1300)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I have to tell you that reading where someone actually says the words "laws are inherently just" makes my hair stand on end. "I have yet to see an unjust law" does the same thing. Are you serious?
Who makes laws? People. People who are not only not infallible but who are often cruel, unjust, biased, bigoted, and just plain awful. The laws, therefore, are often going to be flawed.
Do you believe that the civil rights movement wasn't justified? What about Jim Crow laws; were they OK with you? Should we bring them back? Prohibition?
Our own constitution at one time said that blacks were 2/3 of a person. Was that right?
@beautifulceiling (1300)
• United States
3 Feb 07
I'm sorry, I just realized you're from the Philippines. Maybe all their laws are just, but based on what my husband says, I somehow doubt it (he grew up there). But obviously my country's history doesn't apply for you.
@Poofs_that_r_cheesy (291)
• United States
25 Jan 07
We have the responsibility to obey the law just or not. We also have the right and duty to work towards changing a law that is not just. So as American Citizens we obey the laws, support the constitution and through it we wan work to change laws we see as unfit. Now there is no guarrenty that you will be sucessful in changing the law but you may try your level best to make that change.
@beautifulceiling (1300)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Many times an idea is so unjust, and yet so entrenched, that no amount of work is going to get it changed unless someone takes a drastic step and draws awareness to the injustice.
@DJBladereaper (37)
• United States
30 Jan 07
Do not disobey the law, just vote. I find it funnny how thousands of people think thier vote wont count. If all of the lazy people in the country got out and voted for who they ACTUALLY liked, then perhaps we wouldnt have dumb laws.
