Legislating morality never seems to work
I tend to be one who reads most of the editorials in your paper whether I mostly agree with the writer or not. I always try to stay informed of all sides of issues.
One of your writers with whom I rarely agree is Cal Thomas. That being said, I must commend Mr. Thomas in the greatest terms with his latest editorial.
His suggestion that social groups have relied too much on political power to enforce their agendas is absolutely correct. Trying to use government to enforce certain moral choices has failed miserably. That goes for any social group, conservative or liberal.
This reliance on others to push forward a cause has made many fabulously wealthy at our expense. His suggestion is to move away from government as a catalyst and move toward a living out your beliefs as an example of what those beliefs stand for. He uses the commands and life of Jesus perfectly in this light.
History shows you cannot legislate morality, humans never could. To be sure, there are certain basic moral laws that a society needs to function, but the more intrusive the laws become, the more resistant society tends to be.
He rightly says that when liberals or conservatives hold power, rarely is the other side persuaded to change their beliefs. Government influence is truly limited in that regard. Humans by nature strongly resist being told what to do or believe in.
The strategy of reaching out to those of different beliefs to show them first hand what your beliefs stand for in action is the best way to affect society. Government should be there to protect the rights of all people and acceptance of everyone should be universal.
Trying to legislate morality invariably infringes on someone's rights.
Mike Krueger
Carol Stream