Endorsing Civil Disobedience

I would endorse civil disobedience when "an unjust law is no law at all." There

are always exceptions to obeying laws when the laws put into place are immoral
such as laws allowing discrimination, segregation, or genocide. Martin Luther
King, in his Letter from the Birmingham Jail,  recalled St. Thomas Aquinas'
thoughts on civil disobedience by saying, " Any law that uplifts human

personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust." I think

this could not have a better choice of words. He also gave a perfect analogy to
support civil disobedience by reminding the clergymen that Adolf Hitler's
actions in Germany were considered "legal." This is a perfect example of what
could happen in a society today if citizens are not allowed to challenge immoral
laws. Even Gandhi, who was a supporter of nonviolence, agreed that in certain
circumstances, violence is the only thing that will stop immoral or unjust laws. 
Socrates did not endorse civil disobedience and even refused to allow his followers 
to help him escape prison. Years later, as we learn and reflect that his philosophical 
teachings were in fact an act of civil disobedience that he used to question the 
unjust laws of Athens. 
Then we are always left with the problem of deciding what is considered "immoral?" I think if we follow St. Thomas Aquinas quote, " Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust." We can use this standard when confronting our modern day issues such as legalizing gay marriage, health care reform, mortgage fraud and more.