“We will never create enough laws to control evil. Evil does not obey laws.” I see and hear this sentiment expressed from time to time, oftentimes by people who profess a belief in God. Assuming, for the sake of argument, that this sentiment is true, may I ask, sincerely, “Why do we have any laws at all then? Why did God make laws, if not to control evil? Didn’t he realize that you can’t control evil with laws?” Certainly he knew that evil people would not obey his laws consistently. Yet, he gave laws. Many of them were not obviously moral, but they reflected the ethic of loving one’s neighbor and thus were, in some measure, moral.
I hear people claim laws don’t control evil, but I find that those who say it inevitably pick and choose when the maxim is applicable. And it only seems to apply (in their estimation) to laws regulating conduct they personally like. However, the same folks call very loudly for laws regulating conduct that others might like. When used this way, the maxim is nonsensical and incredible, and it makes (what I hope are) well-meaning people who use it into massive and obvious hypocrites. Consistency is an important virtue in judgment.
As a man of law—preaching God’s law, formerly enforcing our nation’s laws, and now training people to enforce national and state laws—I affirm that laws are absolutely necessary, albeit imperfect, in controlling evil. I also affirm that every human being of reasonable intelligence knows this very well. It is therefore, whether wittingly or unwittingly, dishonest to meet sincere efforts to discuss proposed regulations of individual behavior with the retort that evil does not obey laws or we cannot “legislate morality.” I don’t say this to argue. Just food for thought for anyone who might profess this idea or hear it bandied about and be inclined to accept it uncritically.