Morality Police

[DKleinecke]

As I see it the governmental agencies called "morality police" are an
innovation in Islam. And, in my opinion, a deplorable one.

So far as I can tell all the modern versions of "morality police" stem
from the agency created in Saudi Arabia in 1927. But I understand the
agency claims to have antecedents. The only antecedent I have heard
identified is a vague reference to the early Caliph Mansur who is too
early for reliable records about the details of his administration.

Does anyone know of any real antecedents for the innovation 'Abd al-
Aziz made in 1927? In any country at any time?

My point-of-view is well illustrated by the old cartoon showing
Anthony Comstock dragging a woman before a judge and complaining "This
woman gave birth to a NAKED
baby". The US recovered from Comstockery - perhaps there is hope for
Islam.