Some people apparently misunderstood a “Letter to the Editor” of mine entitled “You can’t legislate morality” published 1/21/15 in the Rockford (IL) Register Star and posted on this website (copy below the fold). This is my response (also published in the Register Star) to the objection that “morality” can be, and often is, legislated:
“Immorality” is a term used almost exclusively to refer to sexual “misconduct.” But even if one uses the broadest definition of “immorality” (where “immoral” equals “wrong”), “morality” is a lousy guide to what should be illegal.
Lying, adultery, smoking and gambling, for example, are all often legal.
Of the Ten Commandments, only three actually deal with crimes. Indeed, the Commandment against worshipping other gods would violate our Constitution.
The goal of government is to make it easy for people to behave well. Murder, theft and perjury, etc. are illegal not because they are “immoral,” but because civil society simply cannot function when they are not prohibited.
Abortion may be “immoral,” but many believe it is a woman’s “right.” Frankly, there’s no urgent or compelling non-religious reason to prohibit abortion. And no one should impose their religious beliefs on others.
Moreover, for anything to be made illegal, there also has to be a just way to punish the offenders. The only person anyone has suggested punishing for an illegal abortion is the doctor (qualified MD or not). Doctors are not the problem.
The real problem is that one cannot legislate “morality.” Attempts to do so are ineffective and often cruel.
(Published 2/20/15 in the Rockford (IL) Register Star (rrstar.com) under the title, “Immoral, illegal are not the same”)
Of course, prostitution is terrible and should be discouraged. But if some people (“Prostitution; a blemish on entire community” “Our View” by the editors of the Rockford Register Star, 2/16/15) think they can eliminate demand for “the oldest profession,” they’re kidding themselves.
Because prostitution is illegal, prostitutes have little or no recourse when abused by their pimps and/or “Johns.” (“Sex slave” trafficking would always remain illegal as kidnapping and/or extortion.)
Even if fear of arrest discourages some from using prostitutes, the next question is: Do those men do without, or do they look elsewhere? If they look elsewhere for sex, one certainly hopes they do not resort to rape.
“One cannot legislate morality” (part 1)
Islamic extremists are, of course, not the only ones who use religion for political advantage.
Apparently, a significant segment of our population would never dream of voting for Democrats because “liberals” are considered licentious, and “immoral.” (“Tea Party” members worried about corporate misconduct are definitely supporting the wrong party. This Congress’s top priority has been to do Wall Street’s bidding.)
Unfortunately, the rhetoric of reproductive and gay “rights” probably exacerbates that political division. The focus should be on human rights. Homosexuals are human. And marriage is, among other things, the usual means by which adults choose their legal next of kin.
Abortion is, at best, a regrettable expedient. But punishing doctors for taking care of their patients would be positively grotesque. Doctors are not the problem.
The real problem is that one cannot legislate “morality.” Attempts to do so can be downright cruel. (Note: “Immorality” is a term used almost exclusively to refer to sexual “misconduct” (however that is defined).)
Contraceptives exist and abortion is a simple medical procedure. One cannot “put the genie back in the bottle.” Moreover, prejudicially denying people opportunities because of their background, race, gender, or sexual orientation is extremely unkind and just plain wrong.