do you believe it's ok to only obey some laws and ignore others?
353951
As someone planning to enter the legal profession, I'd have to answer officially that all laws should be equally respected.\n\nHowever, the argument that I most often hear against this is that some laws are either obsolete or are invalid without having been removed.\n\nFor example, there are laws on the books in some states that mandate what sexual positions married couples can use in their own home. This contradicts US Supreme Court cases that say such matters are private and not subject to government regulation, but the laws are still on the books. Or laws that require a person traveling on state roads to walk in front of any vehicle carrying a lantern when it is sufficiently foggy.\n\nThe proper legal approach is to have these laws changed, rather than simply ignoring them. In practice, however, the court's might refuse to hear the challenge if nobody has been prosecuted under the law for 80 years. So, it's generally more efficient to wait until these laws are enforced, and then challenge them. But since they are utterly pointless or otherwise invalid, following them in the interim doesn't make sense.\n\nI've also heard the same argument made about laws that are just annoying, such as smoking marijuana or speeding, with the argument going that everyone does it, and few get caught, so what's the big deal. Personally, however, this shows disrespect for the concept of law in general, which tarnishes the other (what some call 'important') laws. \n\nIf everyone starts following the principle of ignoring laws until they get caught, and resisting arrest, that could potentially lead to anarchy if the law-breakers vastly outnumber the law-enforcers.
370920
"They are really more like guidelines..."  I heard that once.  Common wisdom is morality is a personal choice, and cannot be obtained by imposing laws.  Laws and penalties can influence behavior by incentive and pushishments.
198998
Why would you ask that? I'm glad I have a right to choose, and do what I want, without being dicated to! Sure, there are laws, but if you aren't a criminal, you shouldn't have any worries. I wouldn't want it any other way!
330507
To set parameter which civilized people can live peacefully along with the bad.Without laws, there would be mass chaos. I live in New Orleans, and after Hurricane Katrina, I saw what lawlessness is.
470249
I disagree. I my experince. Reason people break the rule is becuase they cant win any other way. Ponder this thow rules are ristrictions enacted and enforced by individuals or private comp. ect. laws are differrent. Laws are inacted by Legislative body or gov. entity. Now im going to get deep with you. No one can enact or enforce rules that conflict with laws set by the gov. body. So most of the time no one is really breaking any rule because they confict with gov. laws. most of the time
563216
Women (and men and children) should not be billbboards and wallpaper. But should we pass laws? Well, there used to be laws of decency... but hey, it was God who endowed 'free-will'.. I think this world and time is all a lesson, and an example of what can be done wrong and how it ultimately ends up..
721251
Not that i can really claim that i speak for God but one of the functions of having a set of laws could very well be to create a necesity for reconcilation. Until there are rules to be broken its hard to really know one is screwing things up isnt it?. Until people realize they are flawed and that they fall short it is a little bit more difficult to understand why exactly we need to change from the course we are on. Also its hard to realize that there may be something different (better?) out there for us. Its hard to understand that there is a God humanity may fall short of and thusly need in their lives without a set of Laws.
438926
If sane people around you confirm that you have good judgment to what's right and what's wrong then why not? I guess if you live according to what you think is right, it will not be much different from living according to the rules set by society.
1172230
Must of us know that. It is a defense that some used. Some feel it is against the people or you would ignore the law. Ever see those questions where it said-we all break them? What kind of morals to they have? Do they truly believe that? \n You are right for many it is about country.
773960
Yes. By using the example of the immorality of others, feel free to commit crimes. Sheesh.
691103
Not all laws are Godly laws, and there are corrupt people in all professions. I would say sometimes the people in law enforcement over step their bounds and even to the point of killing someone, but this doesn't mean all people in law enforcement are acting ungodly.
226085
i feel that its ok for all of the above as long as you dont ram your beliefs in my face. be who you want to be , believe what you may. But allow me to make my own choices. others may have insecuritys due to not understanding. learn and grow.
330721
If laws are morally wrong...try to change them :P \ndun break it....it'll set examples for others.......n ppl may tend to break law for every simple reason
1172187
As in any kind of civil dis-obedience, you should not do it if you are not prepared to be prosecuted for breaking the law.\n\nOf course if everybody who didn't like something about what the government was doing didn't pay taxes, there would be no taxes paid, and we would not have a country.  No police, not army, no money, etc.
45035
When it comes to the free-moral agency of man, your question can be answered "yes" and "no".  People do things for two reasons...because they feel they "have to", and because they "want to".  I don't like being told to wear my seat belt, and often times don't, till I see that ploice officer in the distance.  I used to be a slob.  I got married, and my ex-wife demanded neatness, so to keep peace in the house, I complied.  As soon as my ex left me, I reverted to my original standards.  In both of these cases, my behavior was modified only insofar as I wanted to avoid the consequences.  But as far as my thought process behind my actions, my behavior wasn't truly modified.  As soon as I feel I can get away with my normal behaviors, I revert to them.  Behavior in humans is only truly capable in humans when one can modify that person's conscience to feel guilty if they violate a given expected behavior.  If all they fear is consequences, but don't feel guilty, their behavior has never been truly modified.
28217
I think it is usually acceptable to break the law if, by not breaking it, someone would suffer bodily harm or death. Also, if the law is fundamentally designed to discriminate, I think that at the very least some people need to break it in order to be able to argue against it in the Supreme Court, for example when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.
294273
A law that "everyone" knows is the law, but it is not a law enacted by a legislative body. It will be enforced, often by social means rather than legal means.