Hi Tom,

Great to hear from you, and I appreciate your question. I think the answer is three-fold.

You asked, "how can a nation such as America enforce laws like these?"

In and of itself, it is not difficult for a nation to enforce the law of God outwardly. In other words, while it is impossible for a civil gov't to regulate inward thoughts, ideas, desires, etc., it is entirely possible for a civil gov't to enforce God's law when outwardly violated (i.e., *public* or *open* acts of blasphemy, idolatry, homosexuality [or activism], adultery, etc., plus the gov't can entertainment so as to keep it from sexual immorality, keeping stores closed on the Lord's Day, prohibiting outward acts of murder and theft, etc.).

In other words, from a practical standpoint, everyone has to agree that this is possible. For, no matter what one's view of the role of civil gov't is in the New Covenant, it is undeniable that God required it to enforce His laws in the Old (externally). Accordingly, we shouldn't be surprised that it is possible to do it externally.

I hope that helps.
John

"He that hath light thoughts of sin, never had great thoughts of God." ...John Owen