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Only a very ignorant person would go to jail because their religous beliefs preclude them from complying with laws. That's sad. I can't help but pity religous zealots Moderator cut: deleted
While one likes to leave people to their opinions where it does not affect others, one cannot expect the law to be waived in deference to religious foibles. The tail cannot wag the dog, but too often religious demands is placed ahead of man - made law.
We had this with a registrar refusing to marry same - sex couples and a muslim demanding that she be excused from handling bacon. There was also a BA employee wanting the dress - code changed to accommodate her religious trinket.
While one is suspicious of setting precedents, straining at gnats does seem petty, but where the law is concerned, we have to decide whether it can be waived in view of religious objections, or not.
No. His stand was on a moral basis. While one might take issue with the reasoning, it was not done simply because of some rather pointless religious tradition.
"It is Thoreau’s extremely personal response to being imprisoned for breaking the law. Because he detested slavery and because tax revenues contributed to the support of it, Thoreau decided to become a tax rebel. There were no income taxes and Thoreau did not own enough land to worry about property taxes; but there was the hated poll tax – a capital tax levied equally on all adults within a community." (a pretty standard Bio -quote)
An abolitionist atheist could well have done the same.
Totally hysterical. Reminds me of the fools that complained at Jacob Riis Park ans started a riot because the park officials wouldn't allow them in with their long head scarves. I can't fathom why people like this can't seem to understand that this is America, there are laws, we all have to abide by them. If we don't like them we have elections every certain November where we speak through the voting booth. The majority rules. There are plenty of other places and countries to live in if they can't seem to live within the statutory boundaries of this one.
No. His stand was on a moral basis. While one might take issue with the reasoning, it was not done simply because of some rather pointless religious tradition.
"It is Thoreau’s extremely personal response to being imprisoned for breaking the law. Because he detested slavery and because tax revenues contributed to the support of it, Thoreau decided to become a tax rebel. There were no income taxes and Thoreau did not own enough land to worry about property taxes; but there was the hated poll tax – a capital tax levied equally on all adults within a community." (a pretty standard Bio -quote)
An abolitionist atheist could well have done the same.
And morals evolved from?
As a note I'm not religious but threw in here because of the unnecessary abuse that the Amish receive from people. Did they get arrested for disobeying a law? Yes. Will they complain about it? Likely not. They took a stand based on their beliefs, something that 90% of people in this country will not do unless it's safe to do so.
In other words, to reference partially Tom Hagen in The Godfather, they're Sicilians.
Since when does a bright orange safety reflector have anything to do with modesty? Where in the bible does it say that bright orange safety reflectors are immodest? Wouldn't god consider the safety and saving of lives more important than how an orange triangle looks on a buggy? People who think like this scare me....
I'd suggest from evolved instinct and reasoning. Not from God before any theist suggests it.
Quote:
As a note I'm not religious but threw in here because of the unnecessary abuse that the Amish receive from people. Did they get arrested for disobeying a law? Yes. Will they complain about it? Likely not. They took a stand based on their beliefs, something that 90% of people in this country will not do unless it's safe to do so.
In other words, to reference partially Tom Hagen in The Godfather, they're Sicilians.
I agree they took a stand and accepted the jail (their religion would not allow them to pay a fine) with dignity. That does not alter the fact that they placed their religious convictions above the law. It's admittedly a religious - skeptical view that the law was broken for pointless reasons so (as I see it) it had no worthwhile point.
I generally do not agree with breaking the law even for good reasons. If the law is wrong, change it, don't ignore it. I can see that where a nation's view is wrong and one is forced to make a choice, one might have to stick with moral principles. The way I see it is that you can't have little religious states in a country where the law of the land doesn't run.
This is a prime example of ancient superstition over ruling even common sense.
To drive a black buggy at 5 MPH without something to enhance its visibility especially near dawn/dusk or in the rain, to traffic overtaking at 10+ times their speed, of 50+ MPH is just stupid.
Everyone has the right to be a stupid as they wish, but not when they have their children in that buggy, and an innocent horse pulling it. Part of the privilege of using the highways is not only to follow the rules, but to also not to be a hazard to others.
The bad haircuts should also rate at least a fine.
I generally do not agree with breaking the law even for good reasons. If the law is wrong, change it, don't ignore it. I can see that where a nation's view is wrong and one is forced to make a choice, one might have to stick with moral principles. The way I see it is that you can't have little religious states in a country where the law of the land doesn't run.
How did we change the laws? Often a protest and doing jail time was the way to get the laws changed. Or are you forgetting the lessons of the civil rights movement.
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