[QueenAngie]

When is breaking a law
morally justifiable?

Laws and a set of rules for all to follow
or there are consequences
of a potential ticket, fine, or jail time.

Is there ever any instance
where breaking a law of the state or nation
is considered morally justifiable (ok?)?

Could you share any episode
or event
that you would consider it ok?

I am not asking for any confessions here
or admitting that anyone would ever break the laws of government,
(as I am neither a priest for confessions
or an officer of the court,)
just some examples that would make sense to you.

[twinzplus3]

Breaking the law is morally justifiable when the law in itself is immoral or ethically wrong and following the law might violate your conscience.

[ljb]

Breaking the speed limit if it is a medical emergency comes to mind.....

[twinzplus3]

That's interesting. I wouldn't consider breaking the law justifiable at that point. (Justifiable as in you shouldn't have to bear the consequences bc you were right in breaking the law.)

[siageah]

That's funny because I would certainly consider speeding to get to emergency medical treatment to be something that should not be prosecuted.

I would consider an animal rights activist trespassing to free animals that are being treated cruelly a law that they could break, morally, but would expect them to be prosecuted.

If I trespassed to protest something and broke the law, I would feel morally justified but would expect to be prosecuted. But speeding in a medical emergency? Nah, I wouldn't expect to be charged.

[twinzplus3]

I would expect to be charged & prosecuted because a) there are other options generally speaking and b) you are potentially putting others at risk for serious injury or death. If my speeding to save someone in my own family resulted in the death or disabling injury of another's family I would expect to prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law or vice versa. If my own family member was injured or killed bc you were speeding to save your own family member--I would expect and press for your prosecution.

As far as animal rights activists go. . .I would not consider freeing animals morally acceptable either unless they paid for them. It's not trespassing but stealing.

[4GiftsfromGod]

to me it isnt morally justifiable to break the law at all.

[siageah]

Originally Posted by twinzplus3

As far as animal rights activists go. . .I would not consider freeing animals morally acceptable either unless they paid for them. It's not trespassing but stealing.

Ahhh yes, but they would consider the laws allowing the animals to be "tortured" to be morally abhorrent and unethical and therefore breaking those laws would be justifiable, to them.

Oh yes, and if my speeding resulted to injuring another, then yes, I would expect to be prosecuted. If it didn't...then no, I would not expect to be prosecuted.

[twinzplus3]

Originally Posted by 4GiftsfromGod

to me it isnt morally justifiable to break the law at all.

Really? Never? What about smuggling Bibles into China? That is breaking the law but in my mind morally justifiable. What about the underground railroad? Also was illegal at the time but morally justifiable. What about Schindler who bought Jews? Or the many, many people who hid Jews during WWII? Hiding a Jew was also illegal at the time. So because it was illegal it was morally unjustifiable?

My pastor adopted a little boy who was left for dead by the Chinese government. He had severe amoebic dissentary and the government told the orphanage not to take him bc he'd never survive. But an orphanage worker disobeyed and nursed him back to health and now he is thriving. That was morally unjustifiable? What about Christians meeting in underground churches accross the world who are breaking the law?

I think to say that breaking the law is NEVER justifiable is way oversimplifying the issue. There are times, and have been times in history, when breaking the law of the land was simply the right thing to do.

[twinzplus3]

Originally Posted by siageah

Ahhh yes, but they would consider the laws allowing the animals to be "tortured" to be morally abhorrent and unethical and therefore breaking those laws would be justifiable, to them.

That's tricky though bc I don't think one should break the law simply for the sake of activism. I also think that often times 'activism' is ineffective. So I guess I mean to say that if they are truly opposed to the unfair treatment of animals, rather than causing personal harm to let's say a farmer, pull funds together, support legislation, etc. to stop it. KWIM? But you have a point.

Originally Posted by siageah

Oh yes, and if my speeding resulted to injuring another, then yes, I would expect to be prosecuted. If it didn't...then no, I would not expect to be prosecuted.

Hmmmm. . .but I think in order for you to be justified in breaking a law there has to be somewhat of an absolute. If it's justified, then it's wholly justified. Not just justified if there are no adverse effects to third parties. I'm not sure I'm being clear--It's kind of early for this!!