Do you want to live in a Christian Theocracy?

Archivist · Sep 2, 2004

If the US were to ever become a theocracy I just might be joining you in Ireland! I certainly wouldn't be staying here.

For those who favor a theocracy, please visit Salem, Mass., and see how innocent people can be abused or even killed by a government enforcing what it sees as being Biblically-based laws.

spike · Sep 2, 2004

Rev. Smith said:
So, how would you feel about living in a society governed by Biblical standards? If your are in the "yes" group, what civil liberties would you be willing to surrender in order to allow the State Church the power to enforce the law?

I have no pressing need to live in a Christian Theocracy at this time while alive. I'll wait till after I die.

Buzz Dixon · Sep 2, 2004

Kaan said:
And exactly what would you do as dictator for life?

Well, to start, I'd have my street widened so two lanes of traffic can drive down it.

I'm sure I can find a Biblical verse to justify that.

TrueQ · Sep 2, 2004

I guess other questions should be asked. If it was a christian theocracy, would there be laws requiring you to be christian? If so, would you be forced to conform with any one particular denomination? What would be done with the non-christians who refuse to convert? Put to death? Banished? Inquisition? A lot of crazy badness would herald the formation of a christian theocracy in just about every country but Italy.

And even if heathens could live an alright life on paper, you think it would be fun for them? They would be the targets of hate crimes, and some peoples very survival would be dependent on what the religious courts handed down as the definition of a witch (Exodus 22,18). Kids can be vicious, and that's true in any religion, imagine what pagan schoolkids would have to endure in this country, assuming that their customs and ceremonies weren't drilled out in kindergarten...

First Day Of School:
Mrs. Li'l Old Lady: And so children, if you put your faith in the Lord and in his son Jesus Christ, then, when you die, you'll all go to a wonderful place above the clouds, where there is no sickness or death, and everyone is happy. Any questions? Yes, you child?

Wiccan Timmy: What if you don't believe in the Lord?

MLOL: Well Timmy, if, like you and your parents, you don't put your trust in the saviours, then you well be dragged into the bowels of Hell. A terrible place full of fire and brimstone and demons, who will tear out your intestines and send them, still attached to your body, through a sausage grinder. And then they'll pour vinegar and salt in the hole in your belly and make you eat your own dung.

WT: ...You, you serious?

MLOL: Yes! Who wants to go to snack time?

Sopharos · Sep 2, 2004

Jennifer615 said:
However, I have recently been introduced to patriarchy and now believe very differently. In a theocracy the patriarchs would rule supreme. Women would be downtrodden, not allowed to work or hardly get an education. I, for one, would be torn away from my husband and children, because I am divorced and remarried. They would not see my marriage as valid. They would bring back stoning people to death. There would be so much bloodshed! Unmarried non-virgins would be stoned to death, and this would wipe out most of the unmarried female population. It would be horrible.

I am a Christian, and I sometimes despair at the state of the world, with so much hate, selfishness, greed, immorality and contempt for God's word, but I would rather it be the way it is than a theocracy. The Baptists believe in separation of church and state, because they believe that you cannot make someone become a Christian, and it must be a choice. I think there is alot of credit there.

After some thought on this, your post strikes me as very true on the subject of patriachy. Indeed, as this poll below shows, there is a large proportion of Christians who would support a male-only church leadership, even women supported this idea.

http://www.christianforums.com/t925

And since theocracy is basically a dictatorship of the clerics, a Christian Theocracy would indeed be a patriachy. That would indeed be very upsetting for a "god-hating matriachist" (according to my cousin Nathan) like me.

neocon · Sep 3, 2004

A true Christian Theocracy- a State Ruled by Clerics would be unbiblical BUT a State run by ordinary public officials which uses the Bible as a blueprint (Christian Reconstruction) would be very nuch a display of real Christian love for humanity in general.

Kaan · Sep 3, 2004

A true Christian Theocracy- a State Ruled by Clerics would be unbiblical BUT a State run by ordinary public officials which uses the Bible as a blueprint (Christian Reconstruction) would be very nuch a display of real Christian love for humanity in general.

And what laws would be made in this new theocracy?

Archivist · Sep 3, 2004

neocon said:
A true Christian Theocracy- a State Ruled by Clerics would be unbiblical BUT a State run by ordinary public officials which uses the Bible as a blueprint (Christian Reconstruction) would be very nuch a display of real Christian love for humanity in general.

Three words: Salem Witch Trials.

neocon · Sep 3, 2004

Hmmmmmmm, you think Witchcraft should be tolerated because???????????

Fiendishjester · Sep 3, 2004

neocon said:
Hmmmmmmm, you think Witchcraft should be tolerated because???????????

Maybe because it doesn't usually cause any large-scale problems. People who practice Witchcraft never travelled to other countries and slaughtered, colonized, and enslaved foreign lands and people. On the other hand, during the Witch Trials, many, many innocent women were burned by Christians who thought they were Witches, even though they weren't.

fragile one · Sep 3, 2004

neocon said:
Hmmmmmmm, you think Witchcraft should be tolerated because???????????

Because it is a valid religion, as are numerous others.

I had a dream last night that I was living in a christian theocracy. It scared the blarney out of me. Think Nazi regime, except everyone who wasn't "Christian enough" or who were professed non-Christians were herded to concentration camps and killed. I'm not saying that is what would happen if a christian theocracy came to power - but it could.

FadingWhispers3 · Sep 3, 2004

Hmmmmmmm, you think Witchcraft should be tolerated because???????????

Oh it wouldn't be because "Love your enemies" would it? Nah... couldn't be.

It wouldn't be because "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?" Nah... couldn't be.

It wouldn't be because "Love your neighbors as yourself" would it? Nah... couldn't be.

To think christianity has fallen to such a state...

Mustaphile · Sep 3, 2004

I'm not saying that is what would happen if a christian theocracy came to power - but it could.

Truth is stranger than fiction.

Buzz Dixon · Sep 3, 2004

Mustaphile said:
Truth is stranger than fiction.

"That's because fiction has to stick with what might plausibly happen, but truth doesn't."
-- Arthur C. Clarke

Caylin · Sep 3, 2004

neocon said:
Hmmmmmmm, you think Witchcraft should be tolerated because???????????

Hmmmmmmm, you think Wicca should be burned and hung becasue???????????

Archivist · Sep 3, 2004

neocon said:
Hmmmmmmm, you think Witchcraft should be tolerated because???????????

First, yes it should be tolerated. I have my beliefs, but I also believe that others should be free to have their beliefs. I have friends who practice Wicca. The first premise of the Wiccan faith is "first do no harm." Wiccans would not do to anyone what was done to the individuals at Salem.

Second, do you know that none of the individuals--NOT ONE--who were killed at Salem were actually witches? Nineteen people were hung at Salem. One was crushed to death by having rocks piled on him. Others died in prison awaiting trial. They were all falsely accused of witchcraft, innocent victims of an oppresive system.

If you would like to learn more about the Witch Trials, I can recommend several excellent books.

TrueQ · Sep 4, 2004

Indeed, the one person who a case could plausibly be made for, the voodoo practicing slave girl, was let off the hook in exchange for raw accusations on more influential folk, almost all of whom owned land that went up for auction later. What's that tell you? Suffer not a witch doctor to live?

Kaan · Sep 6, 2004

Hmmmmmmm, you think Witchcraft should be tolerated because???????????

You've obviously never heard of the First Admendment.

But of course, in order for America to become a theocracy, we'ld have to abandon the Constitution, or at least the parts of it that stand in the way of an evil tyrant imposing his foolish beliefs on millions with the use of force.

Christianity's had it chance at a theocracy, and it has proven that they can be just as evil as anyone else.

jewishprincess613 · Sep 8, 2004

I don't want to live in a Christian theocracy; I want to live in a Jewish theocracy/state (with religious values being a part of every day life).

The Bellman · Sep 8, 2004

jewishprincess613 said:
I don't want to live in a Christian theocracy; I want to live in a Jewish theocracy/state (with religious values being a part of every day life).

Just as scary as a christian theocracy.

Do you want to live in a Christian Theocracy?

I believe living in an American Christian Theocracy would be

Great, bring it on.

Only if it was run by my denomination, or one like it.

Only if it was a very general consensus and constrained by courts

Awful - my beliefs are just that, my beliefs I don't want to impose them on others.

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