Respecting the law.

[lunakilo]

What does it mean to respect the law?

Does respecting the law mean that you should not break the law?

Should you always respect the law?

If you disagree with a particular law, what should you do about it?
Try to change the law and if so how, or ignorer/break the law.

What if find a particular law morally wrong, should you still follow the law or should you break it?

 

[Madhuri]

I think that unless a person doesn't mind being punished for law breaking, then the law should be followed. But, if a person believes that the law is unethical for example, then he has the right to try and change it. Society and culture is based in power dynamics. The people have the power to change the law if they want.

 

[lunakilo]

But, if a person believes that the law is unethical for example, then he has the right to try and change it. Society and culture is based in power dynamics. The people have the power to change the law if they want.

So do you think that even if you find a law unethical you should still follow it as long as the law is in effect?

 

[Gharib]

What does it mean to respect the law?

talking from an islamic perspective and about islamic law:
it means to be obedient to god.

Does respecting the law mean that you should not break the law?

yes

Should you always respect the law?

yes

If you disagree with a particular law, what should you do about it?
Try to change the law and if so how, or ignorer/break the law.

muslims accept the laws of god as absolute just and absolute fair and are to our benefit so we do not dissagree with the laws of islam.

What if find a particular law morally wrong, should you still follow the law or should you break it?

no such thing in islamic law.

 

[Madhuri]

So do you think that even if you find a law unethical you should still follow it as long as the law is in effect?

Yes, unless you find it so repulsive that you do not mind suffering the repercussions of breaking that law.

You know I think this depends on the context one lives in. I am answering this from what I perceive the functions of law are in my own culture.

So let me explain it like this:

I see that law plays the role of maintaining and improving the health and well-being of a community. For this reason, I understand the importance of respecting the law, because becoming a criminal in an ideal world means to disrupt the intentions of well-being for the community.

However, laws are corruptible and become inappropriate to new contexts. Therefore, I see the importance of the people to constantly be analysing and improving the law.

In any country, especially one that purports to be a democracy, I as a citizen have the power to influence law. If I believe that some aspect of the law is harming my community, it is partly my responsibility to spread awareness and create change.

But until the change occurs, it is my duty to follow the law. If I consider it my right to break the laws that others deem to be of value when I see fit, then I should not expect others to keep to the laws that I personally value.

I believe that anarchy and rebellion have their place when law and governing bodies ceases to serve their function and instead becomes a disease to the community.

 

[lunakilo]

talking from an islamic perspective and about islamic law:
it means to be obedient to god.



yes



yes



muslims accept the laws of god as absolute just and absolute fair and are to our benefit so we do not dissagree with the laws of islam.



no such thing in islamic law.

I can see a potential problem with people who do not share you view on islamic law.

Can a muslim respect mundane laws? I mean laws passed by a countries parlament.

What if a law in a counrty conflicts with islamic law, should the law be ignored/broken? Or should you follow the law even if you find that the law is wrong?

 

[lunakilo]

Yes, unless you find it so repulsive that you do not mind suffering the repercussions of breaking that law.

You know I think this depends on the context one lives in. I am answering this from what I perceive the functions of law are in my own culture.

So let me explain it like this:

I see that law plays the role of maintaining and improving the health and well-being of a community. For this reason, I understand the importance of respecting the law, because becoming a criminal in an ideal world means to disrupt the intentions of well-being for the community.

However, laws are corruptible and become inappropriate to new contexts. Therefore, I see the importance of the people to constantly be analysing and improving the law.

In any country, especially one that purports to be a democracy, I as a citizen have the power to influence law. If I believe that some aspect of the law is harming my community, it is partly my responsibility to spread awareness and create change.

But until the change occurs, it is my duty to follow the law. If I consider it my right to break the laws that others deem to be of value when I see fit, then I should not expect others to keep to the laws that I personally value.

I believe that anarchy and rebellion have their place when law and governing bodies ceases to serve their function and instead becomes a disease to the community.

I like this response very much.

I agree there is a difference between not liking a law and finding a law (morally) wrong.

In the first case you disagree, but can live with the consequences of following the law.
In the secound case you cannot live with the consequences of following the law, so you have to break the law (if you cannot change the law).

 

[sandandfoam]

What does it mean to respect the law?

It means nothing to me.
I know little of the law. Law is a tool for solicitors, barristers and people with plenty of money.

 

[Madhuri]

It means nothing to me.
I know little of the law. Law is a tool for solicitors, barristers and people with plenty of money.

Those are the last people to respect the law

 

[Noaidi]

"Let your life be a counter-friction to stop the machine. What I have to do is to see that I do not lend myself to the wrong which I condemn."
Thoreau

The law should be respected only if it deserves respect.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

But until the change occurs, it is my duty to follow the law. If I consider it my right to break the laws that others deem to be of value when I see fit, then I should not expect others to keep to the laws that I personally value.

What a little nugget of wisdom.

 

[lunakilo]

The law should be respected only if it deserves respect.

And the obvious question...
How do you descide if the law deserves respect?

 

[Noaidi]

And the obvious question...
How do you descide if the law deserves respect?

If it infringes on civil liberties or is a product of hate and intolerance, then it's not worthy of respect.

 

[lunakilo]

If it infringes on civil liberties or is a product of hate and intolerance, then it's not worthy of respect.

Hmm, sounds a bit "fluffy"

 

[Noaidi]

Hmm, sounds a bit "fluffy"

OK, an example: if it is within the law to stone someone to death for their sexuality or for having an affair, then that law is not worthy of my respect.

 

[Chisti]

The law always favors the rich and the powerful, so no one has to respect it.

 

[LuisDantas]

What does it mean to respect the law?

Ultimately, it means accepting one's local governments' desires about people's behavior.

Does respecting the law mean that you should not break the law?

In the sense of obeying the political climate, yes. In the sense of being a responsible and upstanding citizen, no.

Should you always respect the law?

Of course not. Law can be and historically has often been unfair and even all-out immoral. That is why things such as the Underground Railroad did exist.

You should, however, accept that challenging the law is ultimately the same thing as accepting the legal consequences as defined by the local politics and culture.

If you disagree with a particular law, what should you do about it?
Try to change the law and if so how, or ignore/break the law.

Unfair laws should be challenged and changed, for sure. But on occasion the need to actually defy them and become outlaws presents itself. It may easily be the moral thing to do, too. It is not likely to be pleasant or safe, of course.

What if find a particular law morally wrong, should you still follow the law or should you break it?

You should break it and accept the consequences. Or, preferably, strive to change the law.

 

[Penumbra]

What does it mean to respect the law?

It depends on the context and the person saying it.

A certain amount of order is necessary and good.

Does respecting the law mean that you should not break the law?

Should you always respect the law?

It depends on how much the law differs from one's morals. If it is drastically off, it may be the reasonable thing to do to break the law.

If you disagree with a particular law, what should you do about it?
Try to change the law and if so how, or ignorer/break the law.

What if find a particular law morally wrong, should you still follow the law or should you break it?

It depends on the extent of the immorality. If it is drastically immoral, it is worth breaking. If it is merely inconvenient or unideal, it is likely worth following until it can be legally changed through protest or votes and so forth.

And the obvious question...
How do you descide if the law deserves respect?

I generally respect a law if it can be defended with reason and empathy. I won't follow something that is drastically opposed to my morality.

 

[darkendless]

talking from an islamic perspective and about islamic law:
it means to be obedient to god.



yes



yes



muslims accept the laws of god as absolute just and absolute fair and are to our benefit so we do not dissagree with the laws of islam.



no such thing in islamic law.

Eselam: I know you live in Australia, so where does Australian law fit into this? Do you also respect the laws of the land? Is Islamic law dominant over local law? I don't know if I understood your post properly?

 

[lunakilo]

The law always favors the rich and the powerful, so no one has to respect it.

Does that mean that you are un favour of total anarchy?

Or does it mean that you think you should (in general) follow the law ebven if you have no respect for it?