Is breaking the law automatic sin? Are we allowed to break the law for higher good?

[godbless]

Is breaking civil law always a sin? For instance, speeding, jaywalking, poaching a deer out of season? When does moral law require us to break the law? Do two wrongs ever make a right?
We’re allowed to steal a loaf of bread in order to eat if we are starving, correct? May we steal a loaf for another person who is starving if we can’t afford to help them ourselves?

 

[LilyM]

St Paul has a lot to say about obeying lawful authority. In practice this really means we should obey every morally allowable law, ie the ones that aren’t sinful in themselves, and not just when it’s convenient to obey. So definitely no speeding because there’s never a reason to speed, probably no jaywalking, no poaching unless you’ll starve without it.

Why would you steal for someone else who is starving? They’d probably steal for themselves anyway. If they can’t do anything for themselves and you are the only one who can help and you absolutely cannot help them any other way than stealing then you could.

 

[mosher]

Is breaking civil law always a sin? For instance, speeding, jaywalking, poaching a deer out of season? When does moral law require us to break the law? Do two wrongs ever make a right?
We’re allowed to steal a loaf of bread in order to eat if we are starving, correct? May we steal a loaf for another person who is starving if we can’t afford to help them ourselves?

Yes, to violate the legitimate authority of the State is a sin. The gravity of the infraction will determine the gravity of the sin. If however, the law is immoral and thus not part of the legitimate authority of the state then we are in fact bound to not adhere to that law.

Your question about the starving man is a little different as it touches on a couple different principles. However, the short answer is yes but restitution should be given as soon as possible.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

*Is breaking civil law always a sin? * No

*For instance, speeding, jaywalking, poaching a deer out of season? * If the “law” follows natural law yes, if the “law” is not derived from Natural Law it may be “moot”(no meaning), if the “law” conflicts with Natural Law you are to follow Natural Law.

When does moral law require us to break the law? When the “law” is immoral - which is to say it conflicts with Natural Law

• Do two wrongs ever make a right?* No

We’re allowed to steal a loaf of bread in order to eat if we are starving, correct? Bad question - You can take the bread and use it provided those you took it from are not worse off than you, but you are to acknowledge that you are taking the bread, and will give restitution if and when possible

*May we steal a loaf for another person who is starving if we can’t afford to help them ourselves? * Same as last question

Natural Law is the innate rules man uses to be social, it includes the Ten Commandments and the “love thy neighbor as they self”, “treat other women (or daughter) as you want your mother treated”

 

[AndyF]

Is breaking civil law always a sin?

… .

Sts. Paul and Peter tells us that we should obey authority, and they said this in the era of decadent and merciless Rome, who had supreme authority. Civil authorities are bound to make laws within the restrictions of Devine Law. We are to persuade men to consider the wrong as long as that is safe, (Gal 6- Sirach10,5-1Peter2,15,17-Rom 13). An individual should examine the reasoning and moral and ethical value of the civic law, and evaluate it on God’s precepts. The final decision should arise from this consideration.

An extreme example would be WW2’s persecution and extermination of the jews, where every individual was bound by law to obey. Here it would be prudent to refrain from obeying as discreetly as possible, as safety for himself and his loved ones is also important and we have read of many heroic stories in that case. If one were absolutely forced to obey, then that would be no longer an issue of his conscience, but then he could simply refuse incurring great honour in the eyes of God. Many have chosen the ultimate sacrifice. (see Fr. Kolbe, and many Saints)

When does moral law require us to break the law? Do two wrongs ever make a right?

The case would not be one of two wrongs. The first obligation is to God’s laws. An evaluation of conscience is required.

We’re allowed to steal a loaf of bread in order to eat if we are starving, correct?

Stealing from a starving man would be wrong. If we love our neighbours as ourselves in the spirit of love, then we would wish that he keeps it. But yes, if he can spare it and it is needed to sustain life, then it can be taken. I should think a starving child would have priority over an elderly man, and I’m sure in his wisdom he would agree. But the case would need to be examined, and it’s easy to oversimplify. The point is, every case needs to be evaluated on it’s merits. These are matters of examination of conscience. Conscience is tempered by a life of discernment and the practice of examination. One gets better at it the more the person is within the state of grace.

AndyF