Quote:
Originally Posted by murp0434
Theoretically, laws are enacted to prevent people from doing activities that would harm others, right?
|
Not all laws fall under this definition. Some laws are for the protection of individual rights, some are so the controlling rulers have peace among the masses, some are to protect the people from themselves and therefore society from the unbelievably stupid things people will when do on their own given free reign with no consequence. Underage drinking probably falls under the last description.
Quote:
Originally Posted by murp0434
Another obvious and easy example is smoking mary-jew-anna. If I have a pot plant growing in my yard (which I may or may not actually have  ) and I take to smoking its bounty on a regular basis, why should I have to be afraid of the government? If I were to get robbed at gunpoint, and call the cops, it is more likely that I would get hammered for the pot plant than the robber would get pursued and prosecuted. Does that seem right to you? |
If the prevailing law of where you live states it's illegal for you to possess a pot plant, then yes, this makes perfect sense. You are circumventing your own right to the help of law enforcement in the event of an "at gunpoint" robbery. You have placed yourself in the position of not being able to ask for help because you yourself are breaking the law.
Quote:
Originally Posted by murp0434
Other examples of consensual laws would be polygamy (assuming all parties are consenting and of age),
|
This is religious based. There are those that want to practice polygamy because of their religion and others who don't want them to practice polygamy because of their religion. Then there is the whole thing about "marriage is between one man and one woman" which is directed at those who are gay which is again, religious.
Quote:
Originally Posted by murp0434
underage drinking
|
I'm confused by this one. Should the legal drinking age be lowered or abolished?
Quote:
Originally Posted by murp0434
adultery
|
In the majority of states, adultery isn't illegal. While it can be offered as evidence in court for divorce proceedings, it isn't illegal to engage in adultry. Those states where adultery is illegal, it's rarely, if ever prosecuted.
Quote:
Originally Posted by murp0434
abortion, using drugs in general, pre-agreed-upon euthanasia, suicide
|
Abortion is religious based. Drugs . . . well, I think it's pretty well known what the effect drug use by the populace has on society as a whole, euthanasia is illegal because it requires another person, what is needed is a "do it yourself" type of kit that will allow those wishing to end their life to do so without the involvement of others. As far as I know, suicide isn't illegal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by murp0434
or any other crime in which all the participants are consenting...
|
Just because all involved consents to the act, doesn't mean the act should be legal or the act can be viewed as having no consequence to society.
No government or rulers of others will ever be able to enact laws that everyone living under the umbrella of will agree with every single one.