Q&A: Coercion
Coercion
Question
The Rabbi argues that the very existence of God, and the fact that He gave something at Sinai, are highly plausible. My question is whether that plausibility gives justification to coerce certain things upon another person and upon the public. If so, then what for example? And if not, if nothing can be coerced, what is the reasoning, given the fact that you think you are right? I know the Rabbi has written columns about this, but I’d be happy if the Rabbi could sharpen the point.
Answer
First of all, why not? What other reasons for coercion do you know that are better?
But in any case, I oppose coercion, for any reason whatsoever. Only within a defined community that accepts the rules is there room to consider coercion against one of its members who sins because of his evil inclination.
See my article on the price of tolerance:
https://mikyab.net/%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A1%D7%95%D7%91%D7%9C%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%AA