We all did. It was persuasive, which I'm sure is why the Ministry was so eager to have it neatly resolved, proclaim YKW dead and the Potters avenged, and then never speak of this nasty business again until it happened again some 15 years later. It's very typical of that era, actually. I'm sure they also genuinely believed they were right, but it just goes to show you can never be too sure and shouldn't cut corners. Rights are rights for a reason and shouldn't be compromised. They're meant to protect the people from the government, whether from outright abuse or negligence.