Democracy is the worst form of government...

[Whyayeman]

I've given several specific examples of Jesus' teachings, what they are, and why they make practical sense.

Well, we have had religion for centuries here. It led to persecution, burnings at the stake and regicides. Thank you , but - no thanks!

 

[John Helpher]

Well, we have had religion for centuries here. It led to persecution, burnings at the stake and regicides. Thank you , but - no thanks!

I agree that there's no need for persecution, burnings at the stake, no regicides, but then again, neither am I advocating for those things nor did Jesus teach them. I am quite certain that you would not want to be misrepresented; no one wants that, including Jesus. If you're going to reject his teachings, do it on the basis of what he actually did teach.

 

[Whyayeman]

I agree that there's no need for persecution, burnings at the stake, no regicides, but then again, neither am I advocating for those things nor did Jesus teach them. I am quite certain that you would not want to be misrepresented; no one wants that, including Jesus. If you're going to reject his teachings, do it on the basis of what he actually did teach.

It really is not about the teachings of Jesus. I have no problem with any of them.

The problem is organised religion. Wherever and whenever religion has become entangled in government horrific abuses have occurred*. We are discussing democracy, a form of government closely connected to civil liberties. Freedom is anathema to organised religion when in power. It is not just non-believers who are in peril from theocratic governments. Sincere belief is just as dangerous when it strays from the prescribed orthodoxy.

Galileo was kept under house arrest by Pope Urban VIII because he endorsed the Copernican model of the planets revolving round the sun. He was threatened with torture (shown the instruments) and even though he signed a formal recantation he was harried by the church until he died. His trial took place in secret and the papers kept hidden in the Vatican for 200 years.

So, clerics in charge? No, never again.

*[Examples on request.]

 

[Stephen3141]

There was much discussion in the European Enlightenment, about forms of government.

One conclusion was that democracy could work well,
IF citizens were well educated, and morally-ethically responsible.

Otherwise, an oligarchy lead by the educated, would be better.

Note that the American revolution is not really like the French Revolution, and the
underlying goals and ideals were not really the same.

Try reading a good book on the European Enlightenment, discussing different
forms of government.

The Enlightenment: The Pursuit of... book by Ritchie Robertson

 

[Astrid]

“ Both are are dominated by wealthy oligarchs who play by a different set of rules,”
That’s why Trump’s leading the field among Republicans

I dont think so

 

[Fantine]

BPPLEE said:
“ Both are are dominated by wealthy oligarchs who play by a different set of rules,”
That’s why Trump’s leading the field among Republicans

Do you really think the best alternative is choosing a candidate whose only "rule" is "He who dies with the most toys wins?"

 

[Stephen3141]

Traditionally, those who advocated that oligarchies were the best form of government,
understood that the most educated, and moral persons were to make up this
smaller class of rules.

This would not be a rule by the rich, and immoral.
And morality, is not measured by who has the most toys.

 

[FenderTL5]

And morality, is not measured by who has the most toys.

otoh, to be a billionaire when your fellow man is hungry and/or homeless is truly immoral.

 

[Fantine]

It's harder to be "moral" when you're rich. As Jesus said, harder than a camel going through the eye of a needle...

Here's some science to back it up:

Piff and his colleagues suspect that the answer may have something to do with how wealth and abundance give us a sense of freedom and independence from others. The less we have to rely on others, the less we may care about their feelings. This leads us towards being more self-focused. Another reason has to do with our attitudes towards greed. Like Gordon Gekko, upper-class people may be more likely to endorse the idea that “greed is good.” Piff and his colleagues found that wealthier people are more likely to agree with statements that greed is justified, beneficial, and morally defensible.

How Wealth Reduces Compassion

As riches grow, empathy for others seems to decline

www.scientificamerican.com

Using this wisdom, the "rich" are the least likely to govern well, governing from a perspective of self-interest and greed.

 

[BPPLEE]

Do you really think the best alternative is choosing a candidate whose only "rule" is "He who dies with the most toys wins?"

He. wasn’t my choice for 2024 buy it looks like he will be the nominee