Churchmen and politicians seem to be slow learners. When they attempt to modify human behavior the result is : full prisons, underworld vendors replacing taxpaying businesses, and blood on their hands for those who consumed toxic homemade booze. Prohibiting transactions which people want is simply not effective. Yet the beer can gets kicked down the road, and the problems grow. “Forbidden fruit” has not been successfully removed since “the beginning”. And yet authorities still think they can do so by writing laws and arresting people? Yes, slow learners.
Jesus knew better. He advised that the weeds and the wheat should be allowed to grow together, rather than attempting to uproot them prematurely. (English version.)
Ten countries around the globe have decriminalized drugs. (Alcohol is a drug.) Those ten have enjoyed significant social improvements, and savings, by recognizing that desire for contraban is never removed by legislation. And yet prohibitions of many vices still continue to fail in many ways, in many places, because authorities think they are wiser and more powerful than Jesus.