What Is The Difference Between Just And Unjust Agreements

Clearly, DOMA and the states that passed their own DOMA laws were “fair” according to Dr. King`s reasoning. Nothing in Scripture, Sacred Tradition and Natural Law would allow same-sex marriage. Our Declaration of Independence and Constitution, which form the basis of our government, have been greatly influenced by biblical religion. As Joseph Bottum writes in his book “An Anxious Age,” “The religion of the West has given the West faith in a god different and above any human, social, or nation structure. This has given us an understanding of the obligations to this God, which are also different and above the obligations to society and the state. So, if Socrates does not accept his death penalty because of the false accusations against him, why does he still drink the bowl? This is because Socrates still believes in his duty to Athens and in his obligation to obey the decisions of a court in Athens, however unjust they may be. Socrates accepts his death without anger and the difference between what he thinks he deserves and what his accusers believe to be a disagreement: “You are mistaken if you believe that by killing people you will prevent someone from accusing you of not living in the right way” (Plato 42). Instead of fleeing into exile when given several opportunities, Socrates` decision to remain in Athens and abdicate decisions – whether just or unjust – made under Athenian law indicate his strong belief in civil obedience. For Socrates, the violation of the law, even if the law is unjust, constitutes an unjust act in the sense that it undermines the agreements he has made with the inhabitants of the city. It is important to know whether King then moves the conversation to the criteria for distinguishing an unjust law from a just law. It points out the difference based on the alignment of a man-made law with moral or religious law: 4.

Students can research and report historical or contemporary examples of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience in the United States and around the world – or more precisely, young people who have campaigned against injustice. Malala Yousafzai is an outstanding current event, and students may find her speech at the United Nations on July 12, 2013 particularly inspiring. First, King misunderstood the spirit of Socrates and martyrdom as an intellectual and the philosopher as disobedience. According to his own definition of civil disobedience, King emphasizes that one must first break the unjust law with an open and loving attitude and accept punishment with the intention of showing the injustice that such a law promotes. This sequence of actions is important because the constant punishment received as a result of the unjust law is the catalyst that inflames the conscience of the community, but because of its intent, it is crucial to our discussion. Above all, biblical religion has given us an understanding of the world in which each of us — by ourselves, without the support of our nations or families — is condemned for our thoughts and words, for what we have done and what we have not done.

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