Chaos and the Conformity of Law

The Conformity of Law

"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth."- John F. Kennedy. 

When is it acceptable not to conform? If we were all non-conformists, we would live in a chaotic society. Perhaps chaos is necessary to 'break the mould' as it were. 

Why are we all fighting to be so different? What makes it so attractive to us? That people will follow us, instead of someone else. That there is a conscious effort to replicate self. Why does it matter so much? Influence of 'the other' changes your perception of yourself. Caring what all of you think about me, all the time. Is that why I wear my hair like this? Maybe I'll change it then...

Law.

"In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice, but nothing to choose from."- Peter Ustinov

When it comes to the law, the consequences of being a non-conformist has more things at stake. The lives of others and yourself. It's bigger than just your actions and this puts a lot of us off, which of course it should. 

Conformity is normally seen as a negative thing, that it, 'kills society' (Matt Le Blanc) But what if none of us conformed to the law? The majority of us Conforming is what holds us together as a society.

Conscientious Objectors refuse to fight at war. When it was a necessity for men of a certain age to join the army, conscientious objectors were sent to prison. Cowardice or extreme bravery? The men who refused to kill, punished the same as those who had killed.

"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind...War will exist until that day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today."

Is it easier to do the right thing or the wrong thing? Convenience plays a key role in our decision to follow the law or not.

We would all fight for what we believe in, but when do we become too scared to do so? Where do we draw the line and give up? When the fight becomes illegal? Or when we are taken away kicking and screaming?

MM