"If anyone tells you that you cannot legislate morality, remeber that legislation IS morality"

The quote by Jay Alan Sekulow, "If anybody tells you that you can not enact laws morality, bear in mind that legislation IS morality", suggests a perspective on the intrinsic relationship between lawmaking and ethical concepts. At its core, this statement challenges a typical assertion in political approach and public discourse-- that morality can not be enforced or codified through laws. Sekulow, an American attorney known for his legal advocacy, implies that every piece of legislation inherently reflects a set of ethical worths or ethical judgments.

The expression "legislation IS morality" posits that laws are not value-neutral; instead, they are built on ethical requirements that identify right from incorrect, simply from unjust. Historically, laws have been a society's mechanism to codify its collective moral beliefs-- think about how laws against theft or murder show social agreement on the immorality of these acts. Sekulow's statement suggests that there is an inevitable intertwining of ethical principles in the legal procedure.

Moreover, the quote can be viewed as a counterclaim to arguments versus legislating moral issues. Often, disputes emerge around contentious problems such as abortion, marital relationship, and civil rights, with some arguing that it is improper or inadequate to manage morality by means of law. Sekulow's point of view highlights the impossibility of this separation by arguing that law, in essence, specifies and enforces societal morals.

In a broader sense, this quote welcomes reflection on the responsibilities of legislators: if legislation embodies morality, then the ethical ramifications of laws need to be critically examined. It likewise proposes that people and lawmakers alike should consider what worths they wish their laws to show, understanding that these options contribute to shaping the ethical fabric of society. Ultimately, Sekulow's assertion motivates a discussion about the moral foundations of legislative action and the function of law in showing and forming societal values.