Legislate This!

It’s been said, “You can’t legislate morality!” But this is exactly what legislators and judges do when they declare by law that particular behaviors must be adopted by the broader population. Laws establish a “moral good” for a society. Laws are written to protect certain classes of people. Laws are written to provide “safety” and “access” to certain groups of people. If someone opposes these laws, they are considered “dangerous” and “harmful to the social fabric of society.” Those who oppose laws established by the government are therefore, “morally bad,” and possibly “criminal” because they object to the “good” that the government is trying to achieve. Government agencies promote their agendas by empowering publishers of school textbooks to promote alternative lifestyles as “normal” or even “exceptional.” Those who oppose these perspectives are considered “prejudiced” and “outside the mainstream.” Sure, the Amish, and others who are famously “counter-cultural” don’t need to conform to these laws because they are statistically insignificant and keep out of everyone’s way. But what about larger minorities with their own political voice and regular meetings? What about those who have financial influence and are known for not having an ultimate allegiance to the state? Will the majority continue with the mantra, “You can have your own morality and we will have ours”? Or will they, with the FORCE OF LAW, demand compliance and suppress dissent? It is important to remember, even in representative republics -- being “morally good” must be founded upon truly Moral Laws. (See Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q. 40-42)