[narses]

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

You are. America, until quite recently felt very comfortable legislating morality (and in fact, still does, just a different 'morality').

In your world, 'legislating morality' and the Taliban are the SAME, yes?

[timm22]

You are. America, until quite recently felt very comfortable legislating morality (and in fact, still does, just a different 'morality').

I won't dispute that America legislates morality. But it does not now, nor has it ever, legislated morality in the way you describe. There are laws against certain behaviors that are deemed sinful, but I don't believe America has ever prohibited every mortal sin that is socially harmful. Especially not when the determination of what is and isn't a mortal sin is defined by the legislature.

In your world, 'legislating morality' and the Taliban are the SAME, yes?

Not exactly. I can imagine systems where every immoral act is banned, but punished less severely than being dragged into a stadium and shot in the head for entertainment. Likewise, I can also recognize systems which partially legislate morality (like our own), but still recognize some individual rights.