[narses]

"A system which criminalizes mortal sins, to be defined by the legislature, would give them extraordinary power and greatly diminish the liberty of citizens."

Like the laws of this country a short 50 years ago that almost universally criminalized sodomy, adultery and homosexuality? Are you truly comparing America of 1954 to the TALIBAN?

[timm22]

Like the laws of this country a short 50 years ago that almost universally criminalized sodomy, adultery and homosexuality? Are you truly comparing America of 1954 to the TALIBAN?

I certainly disagree with those laws, but I do not think they were part of a comprehensive system of criminalizing mortal sins, like the system you suggest. I doubt many people in 1954 would have considered allowing the legislature to prohibit any activity which was found to be a mortal sin ("mortal sin" to be defined by the legislature) and which was harmful to society (also to be decided by the legislature). If they did, I suspect that the Court system at some level would have prevented it.

If I am wrong, and America in 1954 did follow your system, then I would compare them to the Taliban.