Keep in mind our Online Discussion Guidelines:
https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/pol-100-introduction-to-american-government-artinian/online-discussion-guidelines/
Instructions for completing this discussion board assignment:
a) Identify which discussion question you are answering in your comment by placing the relevant number at the start of your answer. For example:
2. Crime has often been used as a form of social control by…
4. Michelle Alexander’s argument about segregation…
b) Respond to two other students’ comments.
Respond to the following questions in the “Comment” box below:
- According to MLK, how can we tell the difference between just and unjust laws? Understanding this questions is the most important part of this module, and I will ask it again during our second exam.
- In your view, is this an important distinction (between just and unjust laws), do you think it makes a difference in the way someone (as an individual, or our society as a whole) lives their lives? Can it affect our politics?
- Based on our discussion of Question 1, give an example each, of an unjust and just law, in the US today. Explain what makes it unjust or just (using MLK’s definition of those two types of laws).
1. The difference is that just laws are made based on moral laws or the law of god. This means that the law is natural and does not go against anyone’s basic rights as a human. Unjust laws are the opposite, this type of law will give a sense of superiority and inferiority between the oppressed and the oppressor.
2. This is important because as an individual you need to be able to understand the difference and who these laws may be focused on. This can make a difference on how some live their lives because it may be damaging them in their everyday lives. It can affect our politics because they influence what laws could be made.
3. An example of a just law is any basic human right such as having the right to freedom from the time of birth until death. This is just because it is a shared value among everyone and it is seen as a law of god. An unjust law could be laws that deny these basic rights to gay people in some parts of the country because it’s against our basic rights and sets them into a different set of laws that go against them.
Hi Kyara, I like the way you formulated your answers. I must say I was ready impressed by reading the letter MLK wrote in Birmingham jail. The letter was immaculate and well put together and the way he articulated himself.
– great use of details in obtaining insight to the topic!
Very nice distinction in point 1, on just laws not going against anyone’s basic human rights!
Yes, indeed, being aware of just and unjust laws and practices, can have a real impact on how we live our lives – if we are aware of these things!
Hello Professor Arto and classmates 🙂
1. In Martain L King’s letter from Birmingham Jail (1963) we can tell the difference between just and unjust laws is a just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is the code that is out of harmony with the moral law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.
2. In thinking of question #2, I strongly believe that it is imperative to distinguish between just and unjust laws. Yes! I do believe that it makes a difference as an individual, or our society as a whole, it is our moral and legal rights to obey just laws. Additionally, we also have the right to disobey unjust laws that are unethical.
I also believe that just and unjust laws can affect our policies. Understanding the difference between the two plays a pivotal part in figuring out the policies that are made, whether it is just or unjust as well as how it will affect our day-to-day lives. An example of this is the Jim Crow era on the enforcement of segregation between whites from colored people. This was not only unconstitutional but it is a good example of an unjust law.
3. Based on question #1, an example of just and unjust law in the US today are Zoning law and allowing freedom of religion.
A zoning law is considered unjust law. The local laws and regulations dictate how and what an individual can build on their property. Despite owning the land one has to seek permission if he\she wants to add an extension to their home.
Freedom of religion would be considered a just law. We are all entitled to choose and practice any religion of our choice.
I like your choices of examples for #3!
I really agreed with the laws you seen as just and unjust!
Yes, we have the right to disobey unethical and racist laws! I’m sure many people will be shocked to hear MLK advocate that, but if we think about it for a bit, it becomes difficult not to agree with him! I wonder how our city would change, if everyone used this distinction in guiding their daily actions!?
1) The manner in which there is a difference in just and unjust laws is by the aspect of morals. Typically, just laws is a required obedience that protects the safety and livelihood of all, instead of favoring another. However, unjust laws are performed rather selfishly, commonly by a clouded mindset on what is believed to be correct but truly is not.
2) It will entirely make a difference if the nation is ruled by just, or unjust laws in terms of politics, or having general control. Given any scenario, the instance of whether a care is presented in having an open mind to benefit all beings is questionable. Therefore, the remaining hope would be to refrain from sparking an advantage for oneself or a group as a whole, before the destruction is uncontrollable
3) An example of an unjust law is the use of a suspended driver’s license while on road, and an example of a just law is the action of stopping at a red traffic light.
On point 3: you’re describing just and unjust actions by people, but what would be examples of just and unjust laws? 🙂
1- There is a difference between just and unnust laws being that it has to do with morals to things. Just laws require obeying that protects everyone to ensure safety for all. Unjust laws are done greedy like who’s better than one .
2- for sure its important that we know the difference between unjust and just because some times things may be done unfairly and we have the right to feel how we want to feel and know right from wrong however. We do have go obey laws. but as i said we have the right to disagree against unjust laws that are dishonarable.
3- An unjust law would be money bail and an example of just laws would be the limit that a person should intake of alcohol while on the road typically they shouldnt drink t all for the safety of themselves and other round them but in case there is a percentage that shouldnt be over.
Great example with money bail laws, which are usually set so high, that many working class people often can’t pay it! Why do that!!
1.According to MLK, how can we tell the difference between just and unjust laws? Understanding this questions is the most important part of this module, and I will ask it again during our second exam.
We can tell a difference between just and unjust laws by noticing what it has to do with morals. Just laws is a required obedience that protects the livelihood of all instead of favoring another. A unjust law is done by a person who is selfish and thinks it is okay what they are doing but they are not.
2.In your view, is this an important distinction (between just and unjust laws), do you think it makes a difference in the way someone (as an individual, or our society as a whole) lives their lives? Can it affect our politics?
Yes , the way someone lives their lives is a big deal to a point if that affects the policies they are trying to pass. It can affect our politics because a politician will promote what they believe in and some people, if they like what they are for they will probably vote for this person. Then this person will win the election.
3.Based on our discussion of Question 1, give an example each, of an unjust and just law, in the US today. Explain what makes it unjust or just (using MLK’s definition of those two types of laws).
Answer 3: One example of an unjust law would be the law where you need to seek permission to build something on your own property. An example of a just law would be the freedom of religion where you choose your own religion.
Curious about your example of unjust law in point 3: is it unjust, because someone else is forcing you to get their permission to build on what is your land?
1. We can tell the difference between just and unjust laws by the moral they have with their laws. Just laws wouldn’t go against anyones rights. Just laws are made to protect and respect everyones rights. Unjust laws are made selfishly and doesn’t respect everyones rights.
2. I feel as though it is important distinction between just and unjust laws, and I think it does make a difference in the way someone as an individual in our society because everyone has there own beliefs. I believe it can affect our politics because due to the fact that everyone thinks differently some peoples moral could be unjust which affects our society.
3. An example of an unjust law is denying equal treatment for homosexuals. A just law would be freedom of religion.
Hey Krisnelly I really liked how straight forward your answers were it seriously helped me understand the questions better!
1) We can all tell the difference between unjust and just laws by the morality within those laws and if they sit well with us in our spirit in a sense really. A way to be able to tell the difference between the two are; just laws would not make anyone feel cheated or feel as if things are not going by their rights, these just laws were made to protect and uplift everyones rights. Whereas, unjust laws will make you feel as if the odds were stacked against you with no sense of fairness, you may even feel as if your rights are being threatened.
2) I think it’s crucial to know the difference between unjust and just laws because even though we want things to work out fairly at all times that may not always be the case. I believe that it completely makes a difference in the way an individual sees things because everyone has their own opinions and beliefs like those of who are more comfortable with doing things that most people might find unjust moral
3) An example of unjust law is Abortion being illegal in some states and an example of just law is abortion being legal in other states.
1. In “the letter from Birmingham,” Martin Luther King was criticized for being an outsider and concerning himself with Birmingham’s affairs. He explained that he was against the injustices that the residents of Birmingham were facing. He distinguished just laws from unjust by indicating that “A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law” (King)
2. This is an essential distinction since any law that uplifts human personality is, while those that degrade human personality are unjust. I agree with him that we have a moral responsibility to disobey any unjust laws that will hinder society’s social harmony. I believe that every individual has certain unalienable rights, rights that are detracted from the moral law. Similarly, I believe that citizens have a duty in the constitutional democratic society to obey the laws of the land.
3. For instance, in the United States, some of them just laws include murder, shoplifting, and robbery are just laws. Unjust laws include issuing search and peek warrants, allowing law enforcement agencies to break into private properties and search for illegal activities. This infringes the privacy of American citizens.
1. According to Martin Luther King a just law is a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is unjust.
2. I think it is important to distinguish between just and unjust. I also believe that it does makes a difference to our society because we do have to obey the law but in some cases we have the right to follow our morals and beliefs.
3. An example of an unjust law is laws allowing the police to solicit in sting operations. Like, having an operation where they are, “selling drugs.” Where they are allowed to harass people into agreement to buy when the intent isn’t to buy but to be left alone. A just law is basically having the human right since the beginning.