Sonic's idealism isn't perfect, even Sonic knows it.
But giving a free will (with its consequences of course) is kinda like what God does to human.
And that what some heroes with god power-like do to their enemies.
Then somehow some of their enemies became their allies later...
Surge asks why everyone adores him for such actions, probably because it's similar to how God treats humanity.
But even Hell was put in mind to hold those who were free to make destructive, harmful choices towards others.
For example, after Sonic defeats Dr. Eggman, he doesn't have to kill him to prevent him from doing evil schemes ever again, but I really don't think he should let him fly away after every final boss battle. Instead the Restoration could capture him and contain him as
Everhold Prison. Sure he may break out eventually but at least a fair amount of effort was put into preventing Dr. Eggman from doing his evil decisions without opposing Sonic's morals all that much.
Though they shouldn't be stupid to allow access to technology for his prison sentence like they did in Sonic X.