Should the government regulate debauchery Porn drugs alcohol

[creator]

I'm not saying that the punishing of vices itself is tyranny, only that the same authority we assign the government to punish those vices can be used for tyrannical means. As an example of this I'd hearken back to the despicable persecution of the Church over Celestial Marriage. Much of the argument and rhetoric revolved around what the government saw as horrible immorality. Clearly the Lord doesn't see it that way, but what was usually used to prohibit real vices like adultery, sodomy, etc, was turned on a people following the Lord's explicit will.

You're right. And all the good laws in the world will not make a wicked person righteous. Religious (preaching the Gospel) and civic duties (standing up for freedom) definitely go hand in hand... as has been said, it only works with a moral and religious people.

"Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet."

[ithink]

I'm not saying that the punishing of vices itself is tyranny, only that the same authority we assign the government to punish those vices can be used for tyrannical means. As an example of this I'd hearken back to the despicable persecution of the Church over Celestial Marriage. Much of the argument and rhetoric revolved around what the government saw as horrible immorality. Clearly the Lord doesn't see it that way, but what was usually used to prohibit real vices like adultery, sodomy, etc, was turned on a people following the Lord's explicit will.

You're right. And all the good laws in the world will not make a wicked person righteous. Religious (preaching the Gospel) and civic duties (standing up for freedom) definitely go hand in hand... as has been said, it only works with a moral and religious people.

"Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet."

The only valid laws are those that protect equal rights. Any law that punishes any "debauchery" save that which has a negative effect on any other person or persons, is not a legitimate, constitutional law. God himself will not intervene in the debauchery of the planet until such a time as the level is so great nobody really has a fair chance anymore, especially children. He is more concerned that liberty is preserved than in legislating obedience through temporal punishment. Anyone who attempts to legislate obedience or who teaches legislation of obedience is down the path of you know who.