King defines an unjust law as a “code that a majority inflicts on a minority that is not binding on itself.” The main difference between a just
(Paragraph 4). This drew the clergymen’s attention to King’s beliefs and possibly made them realize the flaws in the system. King also states, “A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law…” (Paragraph 5).
Augustine, he writes, "I would agree with St. Augustine that "an unjust law is no law at all. " By using this allusion, he strengthens his argument about unjust laws. Further in the letter, he details the differences between just and unjust laws. He says, "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." When King uses this it shows that the laws that are in place are not natural.
King states that "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. " this quote shows that an unjust law doesn't even exist in his eyes, just as St. Augustine
King says there are two types of laws one that is just which is a law that you have a legal and moral responsibility to follow. But then there are unjust laws and he says that a person has a moral responsibility to disobey those because they are no law at all. And he agrees with St Augustine when he states that "an unjust law is no law at all"(Augustine). Then King says that just laws uplifts human personality and unjust laws are a law that degrades human personality. And then he cleverly states that "segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality.
Now that king established the theory of Just and Unjust laws he then explains the difference between a just and unjust law, King says just laws “square with moral law” meaning the law agrees with the law of god. An unjust law is the opposite; the
Dr. King encouraged civil disobedience, stating that “one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws” (Fumerton and Jeske 217). However, he laid out the criteria to disobey a law. Two of the criteria are substantive, which mean they assess the substance or contents of a law. One criteria is that, in order for a law to be disobeyed, it must be inconsistent or contradictory to moral law. The other substantive criteria is that if a law degrades human personality or contradicts human rights, citizens have the right to disobey the law.
In the eyes of Martin Luther King Jr., Justice within a society is achieved through the implementation of just laws. Furthermore, “just laws are regulations that have been created by man that follow the laws of God for man” (“Clergymen’s Letter”). Any law that does not correspond with the ideals of God and morality are considered to be unjust or a form of injustice. King identifies that injustice is clearly evident within the justice system. This injustice can truly be seen through the misconduct imposed toward the African American community.
Considering the time that has passed since Martin Luther’s “Letter from Birmingham” in 1963 the American judiciary system and how laws are made and passed today create differences between Martin Luther’s notion of “just laws” and “unjust laws” and what to do about “unjust laws” compared to modern law. It can be noted that Martin Luther and other civil activists’ in the US have played a significant role pertaining to the US and its approach on how to stop and condemn racism through changes made over the years. Modern law while it is believed to be the best that serves society and peoples’ rights, however, even today we can see many issues that result from creating laws. Martin Luther’s notions of laws resulting from morale, universal good, and
He believed people had both a legal and moral obligation to obey just laws, while having a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. The distinction between a just and an unjust law in the eyes of King was
Reading this text, it is easy to differentiate between them. Martin Luther King says that a just law connects back to the moral law of the law of God. He said that an unjust law is one that is not at all in balance with the moral law. A just law in his words is one that lifts an individual up instead of degrading them. In other words, Martin Luther King Jr. strongly believes that the citizen has a legal and moral responsibility to obey laws that are just, as well as the moral responsibility to disobey laws that are unjust.
King infers that some laws may look justified at a glance, but are really unjust when they’re put in context. He gives the example of his arresting for parading without a permit. King implied the issue isn’t how he broke the law of not having a permit to parade, the unjust happens when the law was used to maintain segregation and deny those citizens of their right of peaceful protest. The unjust happens when citizens are stripped of their natural- born, and constitutionally- written rights (King 928). King asserts that in no way is he advocating for defying laws, but he is for breaking unjust laws.
Each individual in their beliefs, ethics, and their background play a role their definitions of just and unjust laws. Dr. King definition of a just was that it’s a man made code that squares with the moral laws or the laws of God. A just law, in my light of definition, should be one that is ethical, fair, unbiased, and one that honors each individual living within the law’s jurisdictions; a law that is respected and honored by the nation as a whole. The same sex marriage law passed by the Supreme Court on 26 June 2015 is an example of a just law because it’s honoring and protecting each individual’s personal decision across the American nation. An unjust law, also in my light of definition, is one this is unfair, inhumane, unethical, and one that is in place for the benefit of one group; a law that does not honor and is not respected nationwide.
King distinguishes between just and unjust laws by explaining the difference between them; he explains the moral affect each one has, the unfair way the majority used unjust laws, and the reason breaking unjust laws is okay. Now then, King uses morality to help explain the difference between just and unjust laws. King says “A just law is a man-made law that squares with the moral law or the law of God.” (356) He goes on to say “Unjust…….
King addresses the characteristics of unjust laws in 3 points. First point being that just laws are always harmonious with natural morale law. Second point being that a just law is one that uplifts human personality as opposed to degrading human personality. Lastly, a just law can only be created in the most democratic manner possible and if it is not, the minority automatically has the right to disobey the law because they had no say in the creation of the law. As for the first point, a natural morale law must be measured by our natural human sense.
