In the modern world, there are many people who have an interest in seeing certain activities stopped. There is a great deal of concern about pollution and its effect on our environment. There is also concern over the safety of products we use every day.
There are also those who believe that some activities are morally wrong or unethical. Some people would like to see abortion banned because they feel it is murder. Others believe that same-sex marriage should be illegal because it goes against their religious beliefs. Many people want to see marijuana outlawed because they consider it a dangerous drug.
People can have very strong feelings about these issues, and sometimes their views cause them to take action. This could mean protesting outside a factory or going on strike. Sometimes this type of protest leads to violence between protesters and police officers. In some cases, violent protests lead to serious injuries or even death. But does such action always justify itself?
It's important to understand what the word "justify" means before we can answer this question. The dictionary definition of justify is: "to show (something) to be true, right, or proper." So when someone says something is justified, they are saying that it is correct or right. However, just because something is justified doesn't necessarily make it moral.
If you believe that something is morally wrong, but it is legal, then it might still be your duty to oppose it. For example, if you believe that abortion is murder, but it is not illegal, then it may be your responsibility to try to change the law so that abortions become illegal. If you believe that same-sex marriage should be illegal, but it isn't, then it might be your responsibility to campaign for its prohibition.
However, if you decide to do something illegal simply because you don't agree with it, then you're being irresponsible. You shouldn't put yourself at risk just because you disagree with the law. Even if you think the law is wrong, you should obey it unless you are prepared to face the consequences.
Sometimes people who are protesting against something will say that they are doing so in order to "make a difference." But this claim is often misleading. People often fail to realize how much influence they actually have. They might believe that by disrupting a business or causing damage to property, they will force the government to listen to their demands. But governments rarely act solely because of pressure from activists. They usually make decisions based on economic and political factors.
Another common justification for protesting is that it is "necessary." For example, some people might argue that it is necessary to stop companies from polluting the environment, or that it is necessary to protect animals from cruelty. It is easy to see why some people might find these arguments convincing. After all, many of us feel a sense of duty towards the natural world. We know that we need to preserve the environment for future generations. And we care deeply about protecting other living creatures.
But we should also ask ourselves whether stopping these activities is really necessary. There are plenty of ways to help the environment without destroying businesses. For example, you can choose to eat organic food rather than conventionally produced food. Or you can use public transport instead of driving. These changes won't ruin any businesses, but they will help the environment.
The truth is that we can't solve all the problems of the world. So we shouldn't spend too much time worrying about the minor issues. Instead, we should focus on the big issues. That's the only way we'll ever be able to make a real difference.
