Homosexuality And Morality In Society

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The criminal law takes immense part in society, including the following functions: to deter people from acts that harms others or society. Furthermore, people who do not follow the rules that are being set by the authority, they will be punished. The criminal law is there to guidance the general public on the manners of behaviour, which are seen acceptable by society. (Jonathan Herring; criminal law, page 4 eighth edition)

Criminal laws are set of rules set by the authority to set control in society. Whereas, moralities are principles and values that are set out by society to establish right from wrong and good from bad. Different cultures, age groups and sex in society have different beliefs, attitudes and values as Jock Young has pointed out. What one may view as moral others may view immoral. As society develops, people’s views change and the way they react to certain ideas such as manner offences (littering). The definition of ‘morality’ has changed over time …show more content…

King Henry VIII has passed a law, the Buggery Act 1533 making all homosexual activities punishable by death. This does not seem like a reasonable offence, as people should have the rights to love who they want and not be criminalised for it. In this case the law seems to be punishing people for sinning rather than committing a crime. The law should not be concern with individual’s private life until it becomes a public matter. Wolfenden viewed that ‘homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private be no longer a criminal offence’. Despite the suggestion, it was not until July 1967 that homosexuality became legal in England and Wales. Some might argue that Wolfenden’s report was seen erratic as he accepted an idea that was considered as sin and unlawful by society. There are certain ideologies which society bounds to see it as immoral and homosexuality is one of

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