Every individual in a society has a responsibility to obey just laws and to disobey and resist unjust laws.
Write response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.
A cursory glance at the given statement leaves an appealing impression. There is no iota of doubt that just laws should be followed and the unjust ones need to be resisted. But the real problem arises when we wish to answer questions like : who will decide whether the law is just or unjust; what if the law is felt by some people as just and others perceive it as unjust; what if the resistance turns out to be too violent and leads to loss of many innocent lives ? I agree to the fact that extreme laws which ostracizes a section or tries to prove supremacy of one group over another needs to be resisted. But, at the same time, some laws are those which lie in the grey should be left at the discretion of government.
First, resisting unjust laws is required for the change in society. Various civil wars are example of it. Civil war in America or Africa; French revolution; Protest against caste system in India and many such examples show that, for a better change resisting against unfair laws and practices is required. In all these examples a certain section of society was being oppressed by those who are influential or those who are in power. All these conflicts have made the laws more just and have brought harmony and equality in the society.
While the above argument seems to be very convincing, there are cases where the resistance has given nothing but loss of life and property. Terrorism across the globe is an example of it. For example, there are some, who think that the laws in Kashmir, India are not just. Those perverted people start killing the innocent citizens of India to pressurize the government. This type of resistance has not only made the place virtually inhabitable but also, has resulted in decreased tourism there. And, hence such a resistance is definitely, condemnable.
To sum up, I think that protesting against an unfair law is definitely not a bad thing to do, but it should always remain non-violent. Other people would also start to feel about it, if it is actually unjust. After all, all human beings want to live in a harmonious and just society.