American Values
American Values | The Government Should Legislate Morality
In the viewpoint that follows, David A. Pendleton claims that it is essential for the government to intervene in matters of morality. The government has a duty to prohibit behavior that may cause harm to others, he claims. Pendleton is a member of the House of Representatives of the State of Hawaii.
As you read, consider the following questions:
1. What examples does the author provide of laws that “legislate morality”?
2. Why is making moral judgments unavoidable for government, in Pendleton’s opinion?
3. When does behavior not qualify as private,...
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- Introduction
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Chapter 1: What Values Should America Uphold?
- Chapter 1 Preface
- Capitalism Promotes Positive Values
- Capitalism Does Not Promote Positive Values
- Religion Is Essential to a Moral Society
- Religion Is Not Essential to a Moral Society
- Society’s Well-Being Depends upon the Traditional Family
- Society’s Well-Being Does Not Depend upon the Traditional Family
- Chapter 1 Periodical Bibliography
- Chapter 2: Is America in Moral Decline?
- Chapter 3: How Do the Media Influence American Values?
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Chapter 4: What Measures Would Improve American Values?
- Chapter 4 Preface
- Shame Deters Immoral Behavior
- Shame Is a Form of Censorship
- The Government Should Legislate Morality
- The Government Should Not Legislate Morality
- Public Schools Should Provide Character Education
- Public Schools Should Not Provide Character Education
- Chapter 4 Periodical Bibliography
- For Further Discussion
- Organizations to Contact
- Bibliography
- Copyright
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