Follow the law, it's irrelevant anyway...

I heard a piece on NPR about pinball machines a few weeks ago.  They talked about how pinball machines have grown throughout American history.  Until the 90's, they were still illegal in parts of the US. (the picture is of a raid in the 1940's)

It got me to thinking about the way that changing laws can change public opinion.  Homosexuality at a time when it was illegal was seen as dispicable, now it is seen as "a lifestyle choice."  It makes me wonder, do laws decide what is considered moral or is it the other way around.

The area that now holds Plaza Del Lago (pictured in 1950's below) used to be a seedy place because alcohol was served there.  After it was legalized the stigma surrounding the area and alcohol remained into the 60's ans 70's (this comes from my mother who grew up in wilmette).  Nowadays, it would seem odd to go to a restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol.  I wonder if Marijuana will be viewed in a similar way in the future.

Which do you think comes first, a law or the moral sentiment that surrounds it? Could we change our entire society's moral code, in a few generations, by changing our laws?