The Threat of Theocracy

[Unbeatable]

Couldn't decide whether this belongs in GRD or PD, so I'm going to start it out in the saner forum and let the mods decide from there.

[show_no_mercy]

Satan really is the only truth there is. I mean, he beat Cell!

[Aikanaro]

Theorcracy *where*, precisely?

[Revolutionary]

The answers depend on your country. In the US, a Christian theocracy is much more likely. We already have a fundy in the White House, government funding of religious charities, a religious motto, a religious pledge, tax-exempt churches being politically active, high-level consultation of ministers, etc.

[FunkyDemon]

In my country? None. We don't take religion seriously enough. The only country I can think of that has indications that it could become a theocracy is the US. An American Christian Theocracy is definitely possible. Luckily I never go to the the US. I've heard that parts of Australia also have leanings in that direction.

Iraq will also probably become an Islamic Theocracy, while Afganistan will probably go back to being one. Those countries that are currently theocracies will remain (Iran, Israel, Egypt, etc.).

We would be better off with a Stanic theocracy than any of the other options.

[Nice Squirrel]

No chance of America becoming a theocracy. We are too Bipolar.

[ksen]

The answers depend on your country. In the US, a Christian theocracy is much more likely. We already have a fundy in the White House, government funding of religious charities, a religious motto, a religious pledge, tax-exempt churches being politically active, high-level consultation of ministers, etc.

America is not going to become a Christian theocracy. You guys need to stop seeing those evil Christians under every bed and in every corner.

[funinspace]

America is not going to become a Christian theocracy. You guys need to stop seeing those evil Christians under every bed and in every corner.
Kind of like..."Look Buzz, a Fundy" :D

[ksen]

Kind of like..."Look Buzz, a Fundy" :D

Exactly. LOL :D

[gagundathar]

No chance of America becoming a theocracy. We are too Bipolar.
Well NS, I do hope you are right.
The fact that a goodly number of the highers-up in the Federal Governmtn of the US seem to be card-carrying dominionists has me just a wee bit worried.

But, I guess if things get really hairy I can always count on the uprising of woodland creatures to protect our constitutional rights, can't I? ;)

[BioBeing]

America is not going to become a Christian theocracy.Can you guarantee that? How? The true Religious Right may not be the most numerous group in the US, but they do have control of the White House and the Republican Party. More moderate Christians need to visibly stand up to them and elect more sensible alternatives, or it could happen.

[Y.B]

In my country? Not gonna happen.

[sigmadog]

Can you guarantee that? How? The true Religious Right may not be the most numerous group in the US, but they do have control of the White House and the Republican Party. More moderate Christians need to visibly stand up to them and elect more sensible alternatives, or it could happen.

I don't see any danger of a theocracy in the U.S. either. Clearly the majority of politicians pay lip service to their religious base (both the elephants AND the asses) because the U.S. is overwhelmingly religious (at least in the sense of numbers of people who believe in God).

What seems to get ignored in these types of discussions is:

1. The U.S. has ALWAYS had a majority of people with religious beliefs.
2. At the same time, we have a long tradition of suspicion of the religiously motivated, whether in everyday life or politics.

I think the latter point is what makes a theocracy unlikely. While most voters have religious beliefs, the tendency is to look askance at a politiician with an overtly religious agenda, as the candidacies of Gary Bauer and Alan Keyes have shown.

[Revolutionary]

America is not going to become a Christian theocracy. You guys need to stop seeing those evil Christians under every bed and in every corner.I never said it was likely, but that it's more likely than an Islamic theocracy. 1% to 0.001% is still “much more likely.”

[ksen]

I never said it was likely, but that it's more likely than an Islamic theocracy. 1% to 0.001% is still “much more likely.”

It's not even 1% likely that we'll become a Christian theocracy.

There is exactly a 0% of it happening.

[Revolutionary]

There is exactly a 0% of it happening.Maybe it's less than 1%, but that is the most arrogant statement I've read in a while. You cannot know with 100% certainty whether something within the laws of the universe will happen.

[ksen]

Maybe it's less than 1%, but that is the most arrogant statement I've read in a while. You cannot know with 100% certainty whether something within the laws of the universe will happen.

True, but I believe it's so close to 0% that it might as well be 0%. :)

[Revolutionary]

I don't agree, but if you think it's so low that we shouldn't worry about it at all, I can respect that. There are encroachments on church-state separation which concern me though.

[ksen]

I don't agree, but if you think it's so low that we shouldn't worry about it at all, I can respect that. There are encroachments on church-state separation which concern me though.

Trust me (no, really :) ) as a Christian I want the State as far away from my church as possible.

[loprogression]

I doubt that any theocracy will exist in Canada.

[Tigers!]

There will not be a theocracy in Australia

[BioBeing]

I don't see any danger of a theocracy in the U.S. either. Clearly the majority of politicians pay lip service to their religious base (both the elephants AND the asses) because the U.S. is overwhelmingly religious (at least in the sense of numbers of people who believe in God).

What seems to get ignored in these types of discussions is:

1. The U.S. has ALWAYS had a majority of people with religious beliefs.
2. At the same time, we have a long tradition of suspicion of the religiously motivated, whether in everyday life or politics.

I think the latter point is what makes a theocracy unlikely. While most voters have religious beliefs, the tendency is to look askance at a politician with an overtly religious agenda, as the candidacies of Gary Bauer and Alan Keyes have shown.
I don't think that there will be a Christian Theocracy here within my lifetime. But, if there IS a theocracy here soon, it is likely that it would be Christian, not Islam. The fact that bills to prevent certain Church/State issues from reaching the Courts are even coming up (although they are currently getting defeated) is a very worrying sign. We need to be vigilant, and I am looking at liberal Christians here as well as atheists. Under Cheney's 1% doctrine, we should be prepared to fight!

[Revolutionary]

Trust me (no, really :) ) as a Christian I want the State as far away from my church as possible.Well, there are plenty of Christians do want the government run according to their beliefs.

Do you support...?

* restoring the motto to E Pluribus Unum
* restoring the Pledge of Allegiance (without "under God")
* canceling Bush's faith-based initiatives
* etc.

[jaded_revenge]

America has a possibility of becoming a theocracy
I don't think Australia has the possibility