RE: JUSTICE

Allright, ya'll are some deep thinkers! So here is my other 2 cents worth...

"Justice will only be achieved when those who are not injured by crime feel as indignant as those who are."-----King Soloman, 10th Century B.C.

Still rings very true and addresses most if not all of the above. Great posts, folks, enjoyable reading.

RE: JUSTICE

Although I think some religions offer a good, sound bedrock for morality, I don't think religion necessarily plays, or should play, to much into justice. For one thing, which religion? Howabout Islam (which is descended from the Old Testament)? In Sharia law it is acceptable for a father to slaughter his daughter if she's done something to 'dishonor' the family. Also, it's a myth that you MUST have religion to have laws. I'm an agnostic, yet I know right from wrong; I know it is wrong to kill without good cause, that it is wrong to harm others without good cause, to abuse others, to steal, to lie, etc. You don't need religion to know that the strong have an obligation to protect the weak from those that would predate upon them. I obey the law becuase it is the right thing to do, not becuase I fear punishment from a godlike being.

I would say that Justice is the acknowledgement of a social compact between citizens who work and live together and have set up a system of laws to ensure all are equally protected; when those that would break this social compact are punished for their transgressions, then Justice has been served.

RE: JUSTICE

By Wolfva "I'm an agnostic, yet I know right from wrong; I know it is wrong to kill without good cause, that it is wrong to harm others without good cause, to abuse others, to steal, to lie, etc. You don't need religion to know that the strong have an obligation to protect the weak from those that would predate upon them. I obey the law becuase it is the right thing to do, not becuase I fear punishment from a godlike being".

Wolf there is no prerequisite required, like joining Christianity or Judaism, for acknowledging that
the 10 Commandments played a major part in the formation of ancient law. The beautiful thing about them is that they make complete sense, even to the non-religious, if viewed even secularly.

If one has "common sense", one can completely agree with all 10. Even the one that says, "Thou shalt have no gods before me". When we find something greater than ourselves we will tend not to focus on ourselves and the fulfilment of own desires. We will rather serve the needs of others and give to others. We will even serve those people to our own peril!

And really isn't all of those Commandments about not coveting people or property for our own selfish purposes? If everyone followed those by the "spirit" intended, you and I would have to find other work!

Last edited @ 6/27/2007 6:41 PM

RE: JUSTICE

I've never seen a bible in the court room let alone have been asked to swear on one. Each time I've testified or I've witnessed another officer or witness testify, they ask the person something similar to "Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth under the pains and penalties of purgury?" Never any mention of God.

RE: JUSTICE

Our first codified laws were created by Hammurabi, King of Summaria which is in what we know as Iraq. His laws were simple, you shall not steal, you should not trespass. These laws are similar in nature to our 10 Commandments, simple laws of God. Most civilized countries base their "common laws" on these original codes. God was the center of our laws, and God intended for there to be consequences to violations of these codes.

As to the statement about more people serving on juries, in Los Angeles county, it is the same people getting subpoened every year. There is no way the courts subpoena every person in the county for service in the span of a year...13 million people? Abuse me thinks!