Several centuries ago, Martin Luther explained the essential conundrum that conservative Christians find themselves in when they attempt to legislate morality that is not related to public order:
One need not be a theologian to realize that all of the cajoling and coercing in the world will not make an unrepentant person repent of anything. It will not actually make them a new creation pleasing to God. In fact, the strict, structured environment can be a stumbling block as it will reinforce false ideas as to who and what they really are as people.
As it is written, the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick. God judges the heart, not the actions. This is why conservatives must recognize that legislating morality that doesn't have a direct impact on public safety always ends up being in vain. It has no power to save or effect any lasting good.
What can only be taught by the rod and with blows will not lead to much good; they will not remain pious any longer than the rod is behind them.I call this a conservative idea because it comes from the traditional conservative understanding of human nature as being broken and sinful. It naturally makes us ask, "to what end do we make people who have no intention of being virtuous, virtuous?"
One need not be a theologian to realize that all of the cajoling and coercing in the world will not make an unrepentant person repent of anything. It will not actually make them a new creation pleasing to God. In fact, the strict, structured environment can be a stumbling block as it will reinforce false ideas as to who and what they really are as people.
As it is written, the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick. God judges the heart, not the actions. This is why conservatives must recognize that legislating morality that doesn't have a direct impact on public safety always ends up being in vain. It has no power to save or effect any lasting good.
Nice quote, Mike, I like it. Here's a corollary for you from de Toqueville:
"America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great"
I think that you are right on with your post. Government coercion only works insofar as the people reasonably believe the stick is there. Example: how many people will keep doing a maximum of 75-80 on the highway if the Highway Patrol went on strike?
Also, you post raises an interesting point about legitimacy. A government that sets silly rules that it needs to coerce to get people to obey only makes itself that much more irrelevant.
"This is why conservatives must recognize that legislating morality that doesn't have a direct impact on public safety always ends up being in vain"
I received an email yesterday pleading with McCain fence sitters to vote for McCain because he (may) appoint 3-4 SCOTUS judges, the realization being that the SCOTUS is where the real cultural legislative power is. I think that, esp in light of your post, their efforts to elect a lesser-of-two-evil will be in the end a wasted one.
This is part of the reason that I have concluded that McCain deserves my vote. It's not because he's better, but because what Barack Obama stands for on a number of issues is irredeemably anti-Christ. You know that I am a very strong Ron Paul supporter, so it's not like I'm one of the rank-and-file Republicans who just want their side to win. I'm actually genuinely afraid that if Obama is elected, he will take this country into places were people like you, El Borak and Vox Day will actually have to admit are really not cool.
As I've explained before. If I am going to vote for who I want to be the suicide pilot of the plane of state, I will choose the pilot who promises to cleanly crash the plane of state into a mountain (McCain) as opposed to the one who promises to send it into a kamikaze raid on the villagers below.