Is it ever right to break the law?

It’s easy to agree about acting in accordance with The Ten Commandments. The actions they call for are religious, legal, and common sense. Do not murder. Do not steal. Honoring parents is generally right. There is not very much question about these.

But what do we do when there is a conflict? What do we do if we feel that God or our religion calls us to do something that is illegal? What do we do if the law allows for something which is prohibited by our religion? Should you break the law if that is what you understand God wants from you? Should you work to change it? Where are the limits? How we deal with this conflict is the subject of this column.

Some people don’t believe in God or in religion. Many others do believe in God but believe that their personal spiritual lives are separate and apart from trying to control the behavior of others. For them, the process of governing of the nation is totally separate from their religious lives. They want a total separation of church and state.

Opinion 1: The Law should be based on the needs of civil government and should not reflect religious beliefs.

Many religious people would disagree. They would hold that the Ten Commandments should guide the law. They would also argue that many other behaviors violate God’s instructions and should be made illegal.

California recently passed Proposition 8 outlawing gay marriage. A substantial part of the campaign was funded by religious organizations particularly the Mormon Church. Much of the campaign was based on the understanding, by some religious organizations, that homosexuality and gay marriage are sinful, and against God’s will. The goal was to change the law to not condone gay marriage.

Opinion 2: It is a religious obligation to use legal procedures to make the civil law align with religious law.

Sometimes you can’t change the law. If so, is the religious commandment to do something so strong that you will act illegally?

Many people are concerned about the suffering caused to an illegal immigrant who is deported. Many Christians believe they are commanded to act to alleviate this suffering. A number of churches have promised sanctuary for illegal immigrants who are threatened with deportation. The California-Nevada Conference Assembly of the United Methodist Church in 2007 passed a Resolution saying this: “As Christians and United Methodists, we find the inhumane treatment of immigrant peoples and their children to be deplorable and inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ.” Based on this finding they resolved that: “We shall support local churches and their appointed clergy that God calls to provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants and their families.” In short, it affirmed that churches should break the law by illegally protecting the immigrants because they felt that it was Godly action. Do you agree with that? Should you break the law if that is what you understand God wants from you? These nonviolent protests represent a third option.

Opinion 3: I am willing to break the law with nonviolent action and to accept the consequences when I believe this is answering God’s call.

Perhaps the hardest case to understand is the use of illegal violence, or even murder in the name of God’s word. Abortion is a current issue that stirs very strong feelings among some religious groups. They see themselves, in the words of one protestor, as “warriors of prayer” in a civil war over abortion.

To them the issue is clear and very simple. Abortion, they say, is murder and if it continues much longer America will suffer God’s judgment. “I’m surprised God hasn’t allowed another nation to take us over yet,” said a protestor.

Recently, this cause resulted in a murder. Last January, a jury took only 37 minutes to convict Scott Roeder, an antiabortion activist, of first-degree murder. His victim was Dr. George R. Tiller, a physician who frequently performed late-term abortions. This case divided abortion opponents. Leaders of the best-known national groups denounced Mr. Roeder’s acts. But some others say they believe the killing of an abortion provider can be justified.

These violent abortion protestors represent a fourth choice.

Option 4: I must do whatever God demands, up to and including murder.

Please take the online poll to the right and tell us which of these is closest to your opinion. This column is a very simplified discussion of very complex issues. I invite you to explain your position in the comments area below.

Contact the writer: Rabbi Larry Seidman, PhD, teaches, leads services and officiates at funerals and weddings in Orange County. To join the conversation, go to the comments arera below. For other topics, e-mail him at rabbi@rationalrabbi.com