On Justice
A while back, a friend of mine asked me why I was religious, despite my contemporary education and reading. After some careful thought on how to explain a matter of faith using the means of reason, I settled on the matter of justice.
It is easily demonstrated that man desires justice. The most cursory look at human nature shows that man has a thirst for justice, and man often seeks redress of past wrongs far beyond the point of what would seem to be rational. However, man does not always get his justice in this world, and so part of the attraction of religion is the presence of a Supreme Adjudicator Who rewards good and punishes evil in a final matter.
Upon further meditation, and a few showings of Oliver Stone's post-modern classic JFK, I've learned that one has to seek out justice on his own in the world. Though there is is a measure of divine justice that exists in the physical world, one can't bet the bank that it will right the wrongs which daily occur. Society cannot exist in a condition wherein justice is delayed until after the death of all concerned. Thus, we must artificially impose justice to the best degree we can, using our reason and moral principles.
It then comes naturally that man creates institutions to provide justice, which often function effectively. Sadly, man is imperfect, and he often creates institutional barriers which prevent full justice from being carried out; one example is the abolition of the death penalty in contemporary society. Every single major society has, throughout history, reserved the right of capital punishment against the most heinous criminals. However, modern humanitarian impulses have banished this form of justice from many of the world's states, and as a result society's justice is often meted out by criminals! For example, those guilty of the hideous crime of child molesting are often given light sentences by society's institutions; however, when they enter the prison they rarely survive for long. The other inmates take it upon themselves, at great personal risk, to inflict the appropriate punishment for the heinous crimes committed.
Another block to society is represented by politeness. For example, I live in a "quad" which has, of course, three dorm rooms with two residents each plus a lounge. Inside this quad dwell my compadres- the Churchill Society, Wheeling. Also, there are a pair of atheletes we were stuck with at the beginning of the year.
Contrary to fears, they behaved themselves for the first semester and we ended up with a satisfactory working relationship. Sadly, they have taken our silence on the subject of their personal eccentricities as a license to go for broke. They have started holding regular parties, calling in all manner of people at all hours of the day. They also take "team showers" in our shower stalls, which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't let the showers sit on for hours on end to "steam up" the place. Naturally, this leads to mildew damage and a sopping wet bathroom, in addition to uncertainty as to when we might use our own showers.
These habits are certainly annoying, but they would be tolerable. However, the others have commenced on a second set of habits which are not tolerable. The first is blasting that terrible excuse for music they listen to loudly. The second is far more serious- the use of illegal drugs. Now, using illegal drugs is a federal charge. Furthermore, it has side affects, and quite frankly the after-effects of their use waft through the quad like a perfumed breeze, spread by the shared ventilation system.
Now they've decided to do same-room sign-up for next year. The irony is that they "enjoy the quiet" of our quad, the very quiet that they've done so much to disrupt with their asinine and juvenile behaviour. Because of the problems in living conditions that this would represent, a part of our group is seeking lodging in a different dorm. Others cannot follow them. The short story is that our quad, with its excellent dynamics, is going to be broken up because of a couple of louts who aren't even party to them.
This goes back to my point about seeking out, rather than waiting for, justice. It's unconscionable that these louts will continue to reap rewards from a living situation which they have broken up with their juvenile antics. Henceforth, if I smell anything that comes close to marijuana, or hear any wippets being used, or see the remains of a pipe emptied in my toilet, certain people are going to be arrested. That would be fine justice.
It is easily demonstrated that man desires justice. The most cursory look at human nature shows that man has a thirst for justice, and man often seeks redress of past wrongs far beyond the point of what would seem to be rational. However, man does not always get his justice in this world, and so part of the attraction of religion is the presence of a Supreme Adjudicator Who rewards good and punishes evil in a final matter.
Upon further meditation, and a few showings of Oliver Stone's post-modern classic JFK, I've learned that one has to seek out justice on his own in the world. Though there is is a measure of divine justice that exists in the physical world, one can't bet the bank that it will right the wrongs which daily occur. Society cannot exist in a condition wherein justice is delayed until after the death of all concerned. Thus, we must artificially impose justice to the best degree we can, using our reason and moral principles.
It then comes naturally that man creates institutions to provide justice, which often function effectively. Sadly, man is imperfect, and he often creates institutional barriers which prevent full justice from being carried out; one example is the abolition of the death penalty in contemporary society. Every single major society has, throughout history, reserved the right of capital punishment against the most heinous criminals. However, modern humanitarian impulses have banished this form of justice from many of the world's states, and as a result society's justice is often meted out by criminals! For example, those guilty of the hideous crime of child molesting are often given light sentences by society's institutions; however, when they enter the prison they rarely survive for long. The other inmates take it upon themselves, at great personal risk, to inflict the appropriate punishment for the heinous crimes committed.
Another block to society is represented by politeness. For example, I live in a "quad" which has, of course, three dorm rooms with two residents each plus a lounge. Inside this quad dwell my compadres- the Churchill Society, Wheeling. Also, there are a pair of atheletes we were stuck with at the beginning of the year.
Contrary to fears, they behaved themselves for the first semester and we ended up with a satisfactory working relationship. Sadly, they have taken our silence on the subject of their personal eccentricities as a license to go for broke. They have started holding regular parties, calling in all manner of people at all hours of the day. They also take "team showers" in our shower stalls, which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't let the showers sit on for hours on end to "steam up" the place. Naturally, this leads to mildew damage and a sopping wet bathroom, in addition to uncertainty as to when we might use our own showers.
These habits are certainly annoying, but they would be tolerable. However, the others have commenced on a second set of habits which are not tolerable. The first is blasting that terrible excuse for music they listen to loudly. The second is far more serious- the use of illegal drugs. Now, using illegal drugs is a federal charge. Furthermore, it has side affects, and quite frankly the after-effects of their use waft through the quad like a perfumed breeze, spread by the shared ventilation system.
Now they've decided to do same-room sign-up for next year. The irony is that they "enjoy the quiet" of our quad, the very quiet that they've done so much to disrupt with their asinine and juvenile behaviour. Because of the problems in living conditions that this would represent, a part of our group is seeking lodging in a different dorm. Others cannot follow them. The short story is that our quad, with its excellent dynamics, is going to be broken up because of a couple of louts who aren't even party to them.
This goes back to my point about seeking out, rather than waiting for, justice. It's unconscionable that these louts will continue to reap rewards from a living situation which they have broken up with their juvenile antics. Henceforth, if I smell anything that comes close to marijuana, or hear any wippets being used, or see the remains of a pipe emptied in my toilet, certain people are going to be arrested. That would be fine justice.
posted by The Admiral at 11:32 PM
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