[quote=@Mammalia]
<Snipped quote by Galaxy Raider>

I will use again the point that God punishes immorality. We, as Christians, know that God punishes immorality, and even if we're not trying to convert a person, we [i]do[/i] want them to still realise that what they do is wrong--or, at least, try not to do it. And what is the best way to prevent a person from doing wrong without converting them or convincing them? Make laws that punish wrongdoing. Therefore people will be discouraged from doing wrong, and if they still do wrong, then they will be punished, as would happen anyway.

Let me put it in a logical ladder:
God punishes immorality.
We do not wish for others to be punished.
If one does not want to be punished, then they should not be immoral.
If we do not want others to be punished, then we should discourage them from being immoral.
Laws that punish immorality discourage people from being immoral.
Therefore, if we do not want others to be punished for immorality, then we should put into place laws that punish immorality.
I can extend this argument to show that, despite the existence of other methods to discourage people from being immoral, this is an avenue we should take.
[/quote]

That is exactly what runs people off. Why not convince or try to convert? Why just jump to laws and punishments? Yes, I get that God punishes, but the state does not have to be the medium for the punishment. Why should it? And, again, punishing people for actions that they themselves do not believe is wrong is inefficient. The best way to prevent them from doing wrong is to make them understand why it is wrong, not smack them on the hand and say "bad boy" then leave them to their fate. And if, as you admit, the punishment would happen anyways, then way do it in a way that scares off so many of the lost?

God punishes immorality.
We do not wish for others to be punished.
If we do not want others to be punished, we must teach then not to be immoral.
To do this, we should do our job as Christians and try to save more souls, and leave God's job to Him instead of doing it ourselves.
Convincing someone to follow the Christian Faith helps them see why something is immoral.
The best way to keep someone from doing wrong is to help them understand why the action is wrong.
Therefore, if we do not want others to be punished for immorality, we must guide them to the light instead of chasing them into or just leaving them in the darkness.