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Is Theocracy Possible?

Eddi

Eddi

Christianity, Taoism, and Humanism
Premium Member
Whenever clerics are in control of a political system people say it's a theocracy...

But at any point in history has God (or a God) actually been in power?

How is that even possible?

And to what extent can clerics take God's place??? That seems rather presumptuous to me...

I don't think God could ever hold political office, although those who hold political office may claim to represent God...

However: I know that the Roman Empire was technically theocratic as the emperor was considered a God

And the same for the ancient Egyptians

But I'm talking about a God concept that resembles a Supreme Being, rather than a mere human afforded the status of "God" - and I'm talking about political office in the modern sense, in which there is a distinction between the office that a holder may occupy, and the holder of the office him/herself

I don't think a theocracy is possible, because God cannot hold office. He cannot make decisions. But then I suppose one could build a system around what he's said? But then surely that would be government by scripture, or government by revelation - rather than government by God? - and who gets to interpret revelation/scripture???

I'm going to say that theocracy is impossible!
 
Tambourine

Tambourine

Well-Known Member
The Roman Emperors were only considered gods after death. They were revered and worshipped in life, but not as gods as such. There was however a state cult where people worshipped the Empire, so that distinction was blurry to begin with.
 
Eddi

Eddi

Christianity, Taoism, and Humanism
Premium Member
Howard Is said:
Even in a simulation ?
Click to expand...
Well, I suppose that with a simulation you could have government by simulation, in which The Simulation is in control of human affairs?

Simocracy?

However, I think that would ultimatley be rule by the Over-Seers of The Simulation, rather than by The Simulation itself...

Perhaps rule by the Over-Seers would be a form of despotism?
 
Howard Is

Howard Is

Lucky Mud
EDDi said:
Well, I suppose that with a simulation you could have government by simulation, in which The Simulation is in control of human affairs?

Simocracy?

However, I think that would ultimatley be rule by the Over-Seers of The Simulation, rather than by The Simulation itself...

Perhaps rule by the Over-Seers would be a form of despotism?
Click to expand...
Can’t the Over Seers program a simulation of Deity ?
 
Eddi

Eddi

Christianity, Taoism, and Humanism
Premium Member
Howard Is said:
Well there you go.
Theocracy - fait accompli !
Click to expand...
But is it truly a God?

It wouldn't be a Supreme Being as the Over-Seers created and programmed it, which doesn't sound very supreme to me
 
Howard Is

Howard Is

Lucky Mud
EDDi said:
I don't think any being worthy of being worshipping would demand that it be worshipped
Click to expand...

That’s exactly what I thought.

And any being without a sense of humour is only worthy of being ignored.Why has no religion ever presented a God with a wicked sense of humour ?
 
Eddi

Eddi

Christianity, Taoism, and Humanism
Premium Member
Howard Is said:
That’s exactly what I thought.

And any being without a sense of humour is only worthy of being ignored.Why has no religion ever presented a God with a wicked sense of humour ?
Click to expand...
Maybe God is a comedian and we're really just a big divine joke?

If we are then I wonder what the punch-line is?
 
U

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
EDDi said:
Whenever clerics are in control of a political system people say it's a theocracy...
But at any point in history has God (or a God) actually been in power?
How is that even possible?
And to what extent can clerics take God's place??? That seems rather presumptuous to me...
I don't think God could ever hold political office, although those who hold political office may claim to represent God..........................
Click to expand...

First of all, the Modern-Dy definition of theocracy is: rule by clergy class. ( Remember the Ayatollah Khomeini ?)
That is Not the Bible's definition of theocracy ( God Rule )
God's Power has allowed for free-will choices.
Adam ( Not God ) set us autonomous rule ( self law ) over God's theocratic ( governed by God rule ) .
Adam rejected being a subject to God's authority.
By breaking God's law, Adam set up People Rule ( which includes clergy rule ) over God's Rule as being superior.
The passing of time has allowed people to try any form of government they want.
MAN's History shows that government by MAN that MAN has dominated MAN to MAN's hurt, to MAN's injury - Ecclesiastes 8:9.
Jesus taught us to pray (ask) for God's kingdom (Daniel 2:44 ) to come (thy kingdom/ government come....)
Jesus is King ( Ruler) of God's kingdom which will govern over Earth for a thousand years.
Jesus will have heavenly co-rulers according to Revelation 20:6; Revelation 5:9-1-; Revelation 2:10.
They will govern from Heaven over Earth, this is why we are all invited to pray the invitation of Rev. 22:20 for Jesus to come !
Come and bring the benefit of ' healing ' to earth's nations - Revelation 22:2
Healing to the point that even ' enemy death ' will be No more on Earth - 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Isaiah 25:8.
 
U

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Daemon Sophic said:
Theocracies have existed, and unfortunately still do.
7 Countries With A Theocratic Government Today
God Itself has never so much as come by to take up a spoon, let alone take up political office (as far as anyone can tell).
Therefore when the clergy rules, that is a theocracy. It never ends (or even exists) well.:confused::(
Click to expand...

The country of Ancient Israel was a theocracy ( God Ruled )
It was Not the 'modern-day theocracy' of being ruled by clergy class.
Jesus, as far as Scripture, is King ( political office if you wish ) of God's theocratic kingdom government of Daniel 2:44.
Men's theocracies ( government by clergy class ) will end.
Heavenly Jesus with co-rulers will govern over Earth for a coming thousand years - Revelation 20:6; Revelation 5:9-10.
 
U

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
EDDi said:
I don't think any being worthy of being worshipping would demand that it be worshipped
Click to expand...
I find there is worship and there is worship.
Jesus taught to worship God in spirit and truth - John 4:23-24.
Living by the spirit qualities as found at Galatians 5:22-23
Living by religious truth ( Bible is religious truth according to Jesus at John 17:17 )
So, by the way we live we ' serve ' God and is the way we worship God.
 
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