Are we morally obliged to obey unjust laws? Do we have to follow a law regardless of .
how unfair, unjust, or immoral it may be? The only reason that these laws must be followed are .
because they are the law. But if your're caught in a situation were the "unjust- law needs to be .
broken would you create civil disobedience and take a stand for what you believe in? .
An unjust law according to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is "Any law that degrades human .
personality is unjust."" "An unjust law is a code that a numerical or power majority compels a .
minority group to obey, but does not make binding on itself."" An unjust law according to Henry .
David Thoreau is, " if is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to .
another, then, I say, break the law."" He strongly believes that an individual should stand up to .
the government and break a law if it condurs injustice to them. Despite the consequences, an .
individual should do what they personally believe is right. Thoreau, " paid no taxes poll-tax for .
six years,"" but "never declined paying the highway tax, because I am as desirous of being a good .
neighbor-. Despite the consequences, he would stand firm in his opinions and beliefs. In turn .
Thoreau spent one night in prison, but felt that his personal convictions outweighed any .
punishment. The argument Thoreau builds is for the importance of civil disobedience. Iin his .
speech "Civil Disobedience- demonstrates why a person should violate an unjust law. .
I define an unjust law as one that degrades human personality through the unfair suffering .
of a minority group at the hands of a majority group. A law that causes a person to suffer simply .
because they do not agree with this majority is an incorrect and unjust law. .
In today's society, civil disobedience is created when the government clashes with the .
general public. Disobedience is disruptive to the "harmony- of society.
