George Smith: The Good, the Bad, and the Puritans
Policy@McCombs
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Absent checks, "voluntary" moral reform easily becomes coercive and legalistic
The Puritanical trend of crusading for moral purity and clean environments, bodies, and minds is disturbing to anyone who values liberty. History shows that reform movements often begin with voluntary moral reform but eventually turn to coercive measures and legislative action when they are not successful. This raises suspicion about those who claim to oppose government censorship while advocating for moral reform. When voluntary efforts lead to censorship or extreme coercion, it is important to recognize the potential dangers of such movements.
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