How closely do you adhere to the law?

[Lord Garnaat]

I was having a conversation with some acquaintances earlier, when the subject drifted to some other people said acquaintances were neighbors with. Apparently the neighbors were engaging in some illegal activities, not serious offences but still against the law, and I suggested reporting them to the local authorities. What surprised me, however, was that they all thought I was joking at first, and then seemed extremely confused when I stated that I wasn't. The idea of telling the people in charge that the neighbors were committing a crime seemed like an abhorrent idea to them, and seemed to dislike that I had suggested doing it. And this strikes me as somewhat odd.

You see, I despise people who break the law, particularly when they do it for no good reason other than they want to. Occasionally you hear about people committing a crime for a sympathetic reason, like robbing a store to pay for a loved ones medical expenses, but for the most part I find law-breaking of any kind to be vile and disgusting. It's simply always gone without saying for me that the law, while imperfect, is absolute: no one is above it, no one is below it, and everyone must do their part to uphold what is just and punish those who go against it.

And yet when the idea of ensuring that people committing a crime were punished came up, the people I spoke to seemed actively against it. And that got me wondering: what is your opinion of the law? Do you strive to follow it, or do you prefer to set it aside? And if given the choice, would you want to report someone doing something illegal, or keep to yourself?

 

[Thaluikhain]

Generally, yeah, very much in favour of the law.

On the other hand, I can sympathise with people that break laws that lots of other people are breaking without consequence. If the law doesn't apply to other people, why should it apply to them?

Of course, this only works if it's a fairly harmless law they are breaking, otherwise it is morally wrong for other reasons.

 

[Gigano]

Law and ethics really isn't the same thing.

I wouldn't dream of reporting a gay couple to the Saudi Arabian authorities, however illegal their activities might be there. I'd even encourage everyone to consider such oppressive and discriminatory laws null and void. But assuming we've got laws properly passed in a legitimate democracy, which respects all human and civil rights, then yes, I'd generally strive to follow them. Most laws are quite sensible, and there's little to gain in the long run by breaking them anyway.

I won't go report anything that doesn't harm either myself or somebody unable to report it themselves though. If it doesn't harm anyone but the perpetrator then it shouldn't be illegal to begin with, and if it harms somebody quite capable of reporting it, then it's their own choice and responsibility to go do so. One doesn't automatically become any less of a self-righteous busybody by claiming to do the law's work than one does by claiming to do the lord's.

 

[Jedoro]

Law and ethics really isn't the same thing.

I wouldn't dream of reporting a gay couple to the Saudi Arabian authorities, however illegal their activities might be there. I'd even encourage everyone to consider such oppressive and discriminatory laws null and void. But assuming we've got laws properly passed in a legitimate democracy, which respects all human and civil rights, then yes, I'd generally strive to follow them since most laws are quite sensible, and there's little to gain in the long run by breaking them anyway.

I won't go report anything that doesn't harm either myself or somebody unable to report it themselves though. If it doesn't harm anyone but the perpetrator then it shouldn't be illegal to begin with, and if it harms somebody quite capable of reporting it, then it's their own choice and responsibility to go do so. One doesn't automatically become any less of a self-righteous busybody by claiming to do the law's work than one does by claiming to do the lord's.

/thread

"It was a sweet day when I realized legal and illegal had nothing to do with right and wrong."

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

Oh no I see this trap, you're not getting me to admit to certain activities which I may or may not partake in, which may or may not be illegal. Nice try Lord Garnaat or should I say Officer Garnaat.

Law and ethics really isn't the same thing.

I wouldn't dream of reporting a gay couple to the Saudi Arabian authorities, however illegal their activities might be there. I'd even encourage everyone to consider such oppressive and discriminatory laws null and void. But assuming we've got laws properly passed in a legitimate democracy, which respects all human and civil rights, then yes, I'd generally strive to follow them since most laws are quite sensible, and there's little to gain in the long run by breaking them anyway.

I won't go report anything that doesn't harm either myself or somebody unable to report it themselves though. If it doesn't harm anyone but the perpetrator then it shouldn't be illegal to begin with, and if it harms somebody quite capable of reporting it, then it's their own choice and responsibility to go do so. One doesn't automatically become any less of a self-righteous busybody by claiming to do the law's work than one does by claiming to do the lord's.

Being serious for a minute, pretty much this.

 

[Dags90]

There are so many laws, it's almost impossible not to run afoul of one at one point. The neighbors overlook the occasional firework or violation of the town's various obscure ordinances, we don't report their dogs for breaking noise laws. We get to have a little fun, they keep their dogs. Everyone's happy. Did I mention that I live next to cops?

Similarly, I've never met a biker who let a gas station attendant fill their vehicle, and I've never seen a gas station attendant argue with a biker who decides to gas their own bike.

 

[Aris Khandr]

This is a drug thing, right? As a rule, I don't really care if people are doing drugs in their homes. I'd prefer they weren't, but as long as they're indoors I don't really care. Now, if they're selling then I'll call the police, but that is mostly because I don't want the sorts of people inclined toward buying drugs coming and going from my neighborhood. But buying them elsewhere and coming home to use them? I certainly won't think well of my neighbor, but I won't call the police either.

Basically the same for something like piracy. I don't like it, I certainly won't respect anyone who does it, but I'm pretty sure that calling the police and saying "Hey, my neighbor is pirating stuff" isn't enough to even get them a warrant if they do have the time to deal with it, which they likely don't, so it seems rather pointless to bother calling.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Only if I agree with the spirit of the rule (not a fan of calling them 'laws' because by definition laws cannot be broken - p.s. don't try that argument on a police officer at 2am)

I'm not walking 20 feet just to reach the zebra crossing and wait for the green man if the road is safe to cross where and when I am. Fuck 'jaywalking' (not a law over here but still).

Going past 70 mph on motorways I also have no problem with as modern cars are more than controllable at 80+.

etc.

 

[GoaThief]

/snip

Before I answer anything I'd like to hear more about this conversation you had, especially what law was being broken exactly.

 

[Wadders]

I agree with you, and I aspire to obey the law whenever I can.

OK, so I speed now and again, but that's pretty much it. 70mph in a 60 zone is about as far as I'm willing to stretch the law.

Most laws in my country are here for a good reason, so why not try to follow them?

 

[ClockworkPenguin]

I don't like breaking any sort of rules really, But I'd only grass on someone else if it was an action I found unethical as well as against the rules. Although if questioned directly I'd probably blab, spineless weasel that I am.

 

[JeffBergGold]

Everyone is an outlaw.

Have you ever sped on a highway or a local street? If so, congratulations, you've broken the law.

Ever waited less than 3 seconds at a stop sign? If so, congratulations, you've broken the law.

Ever driven in the carpool line by yourself? If so, congratulations, you've broken the law.

Ever J-walked? If so, congratulations, you've broken the law.

Ever been "cruising" or passed the same street within 6 hours? If so, congratulations, you've broken the law.

Ever rode your bike on the sidewalk? If so, congratulations, you've broken the law.

Ever spit on the sidewalk? If so, congratulations, you've broken the law.

At this point you should pretty much hate yourself for being such a vile criminal.

I believe there is a biblical saying that goes something like "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." or something along those lines. You should do what the bible says. Because "we all have sinned and fallen short of the the glory of god"

 

[Phasmal]

Ever spit on the sidewalk? If so, congratulations, you've broken the law.

At this point you should pretty much hate yourself for being such a vile criminal.

People who spit on the street are vile criminals.
Or just dirty buggers.

-

OT: As long as no one is getting hurt I keep my nose out. I think that's probably because when I was growing up, there was nothing worse than a grass.

I think it is a naive view to assume that all people who break the law are bad people. I've known some very nice people who have happened to break the law quite a lot. For example, my dad used to drive lorries and vans for a living and often they don't have more than two seats. And my dad had three kids, so a lot of the time we were in the back of the van/lorry. I used to think `duck if you see the police` was just a fun game.
Still, no one was hurt.

Captcha: in stitches... oh wow.
Captcha knows where snitches end up.

 

[Esotera]

The majority of citizens admit to breaking the law (usually in minor ways like stealing stationery from the office or smoking pot). As long as it doesn't harm anyone else too badly and looks kind of fun, then it's fair game for me.

Some of the best times that I've had have been when my friends have had competitions to see how many laws we can break in one day.

 

[winginson]

Going past 70 mph on motorways I also have no problem with as modern cars are more than controllable at 80+.

If you can't safely do 60 in a 40 (out of a town 40), or 100 on a motorway you shouldn't be allowed to drive. I would like the limits raised a bit but then theres too many people who can't drive well as it is.

Apart from speeding and my bikes pipes I follow the law fairly close.

 

[Crazy Zaul]

Within 3/4 of a centimeter.

 

[SlamDunc]

I would not report someone for doing something like stealing cable or breaking zoning/permit laws. Or even trespassing for that matter if they were not causing damages or stealing things. On the other hand I would report someone for defrauding insurance or the government because I feel like their activities hurt society in general by increasing costs for honest people.

As for how close I stick to the law I tend to avoid illegal things but I really use the concept of if I am hurting someone in any way as the last line in deciding to do something. I have trespassed on private property before but not to do anything other than explore the area. I see nothing wrong with that really. I also dont see myself having a problem with breaking speed limits on country roads.

 

[Souplex]

The only times I could think of that I have broken the law are the millions of time I've J-walked, and the times I put on a mask and dole out my own personal flavor of vigilante justice.

 

[s0p0g]

besides jaywalking (when there is no-one and no-car around... does that even count then?) i do stick to it quite closely.
ten years ago when i met my (since then) bestest friend (info: in germany "friend" is reserved for what would be "very good/close friend" in english (or at least 'merica; don't really know enough about the British Isles, Australia and so on to comment on that), we usually refer to acquaintances) who also played D&D, he said i was lawful-neutral; guess so

although i shifted my alignment to neutral-good in the meantime. and i think i sound a little bit weird right now. which is why i'll shut up now.

or, how captcha put it: happy retirement xD (gotta love these captchas!)