Theocracy: Good v Bad

[PureX]

Not really.

Yes, really.

 

[Kooky]

Yes, really.

Can you cite a religious institution that has publically examined why we "build better guns" (to use the example you chose to bring up)? Alternatively, can you back up your claim by any other factual example of religious establishment figures engaging in in-depth ethical debates that are fundamental to modern industrial society - rather than dealing with detached metaphysical abstractions, like e.g. whether unborn cells really have immortal souls?

 

[PureX]

Can you cite a religious institution that has publically examined why we "build better guns" (to use the example you chose to bring up)?

They pretty much all do. They are all open to the public. They routinely question the use of violence in nearly every situation, (they literally invented non-violent revolt), and they constantly preach love, forgiveness, kindness, and generosity toward our fellow man. Philosophers and artists also speak to these same themes often. While the scientists say exactly nothing about any of this even as they continue to invent new ways for us to kill each other.

 

[Kooky]

They pretty much all do. They are all open to the public. They routinely question the use of violence in nearly every situation, (they literally invented non-violent revolt), and they constantly preach love, forgiveness, kindness, and generosity toward our fellow man. Philosophers and artists also speak to these same themes often. While the scientists say exactly nothing about any of this even as they continue to invent new ways for us to kill each other.

I'm holding out for that day when you finally back up your baseless claims with substance.

 

[PureX]

I'm holding out for that day when you finally back up your baseless claims with substance.

I'm not here to fight with your willful denial/ignorance.

 

[Kooky]

Well?

 

[fantome profane]

Atheism does not involve itself in such examinations.

I completely agree that Athe”ism” does not make such examinations.

Athe”ists” on the other hand are just as likely to do so as Theists are.

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

"Theocracy, government by divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided. In many theocracies, government leaders are members of the clergy, and the state's legal system is based on religious law. Theocratic rule was typical of early civilizations."

theocracy | Definition, Examples, & Facts

Is a theocracy really a bad thing? Or can it be/do good?

What if the Theocracy put in place respects all religions, run by a parliament of multiple religious clergy, such as Abrahamics, Hindu, Pagan, and Buddhists, for instance.

What if we remove the section of the definition where laws are based around a specific religion itself? A humanistic theocracy perhaps. Run by philosopher-kings.

Have you an example of an actual theocracy having respected all religions and faiths...?
And what of atheists? Shall they not too be represented in government...? I suppose representation is irrelevant, except for in democracies...

But most important: governments deal with worldly matters; religion deals best with spiritual ones.

 

[Estro Felino]

"Theocracy, government by divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided. In many theocracies, government leaders are members of the clergy, and the state's legal system is based on religious law. Theocratic rule was typical of early civilizations."

theocracy | Definition, Examples, & Facts

Is a theocracy really a bad thing? Or can it be/do good?

What if the Theocracy put in place respects all religions, run by a parliament of multiple religious clergy, such as Abrahamics, Hindu, Pagan, and Buddhists, for instance.

What if we remove the section of the definition where laws are based around a specific religion itself? A humanistic theocracy perhaps. Run by philosopher-kings.

Absolute notions are wrong a priori.
Many theists agree with me on the fact that God as notion is not a juridical concept.
Until contrary evidence is provided, it is a non-existing concept.
The law takes care of what is tangible only.

The secular law doesn't care whether I believe in a god or in none. The law says we are all equal regardless of what we believe in.
Theocracy is against equality.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Religions tend to be very much about ethics. You may not like their ethics, but they certainly do engage with people on that level. Science has basically nothing to say about ethics, at all.

"Do X and not Y because God said so" is not "engaging with ethics."

 

[PureX]

"Do X and not Y because God said so" is not "engaging with ethics."

Of course it is, because people will always ask why, and then have to determine their answer. And then defend it. What do you think so many of these threads are about? Also, religions are not all and only about their rules. They are very much about the reasons for those rules. The 'spirit of the law'. Again, an ethical issue, and discussion.

None of which is going on in the practice of science.

 

[The Hammer]

Have you an example of an actual theocracy having respected all religions and faiths...?
And what of atheists? Shall they not too be represented in government...? I suppose representation is irrelevant, except for in democracies...

But most important: governments deal with worldly matters; religion deals best with spiritual ones.

Nope I don't. This was a mental exercise, and not meant in any seriousness. Wanted to hear people's pros and cons.

"Can Theocracy Coexist With Democracy?

A theocracy can exist within other forms of government. While the religious rule may not form the official government, there are countries that make this combination work. For example, Iran currently combines theocratic and democratic principles."

Examples of Theocracy in Government

 

[Kooky]

What do you think so many of these threads are about?

Most seem to revolve about the creative interpretation Bible verses, from a cursory glance.

But sure, let's just claim that parents all over the world are engaging with the philosophical field of "ethics" when they tell their children they're supposed to wash their hands before dinner, that should be a fun premise for an argument.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

"Theocracy, government by divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided. In many theocracies, government leaders are members of the clergy, and the state's legal system is based on religious law. Theocratic rule was typical of early civilizations."

theocracy | Definition, Examples, & Facts

Is a theocracy really a bad thing? Or can it be/do good?

What if the Theocracy put in place respects all religions, run by a parliament of multiple religious clergy, such as Abrahamics, Hindu, Pagan, and Buddhists, for instance.

What if we remove the section of the definition where laws are based around a specific religion itself? A humanistic theocracy perhaps. Run by philosopher-kings.

In your hypothetical multi-religion theocracy, is each religion willing to sign off on the others being divinely inspired?

I doubt it. But perhaps if they all had a common enemy they despised enough.
A demon army, maybe? Or an unholy alliance of atheists and aliens?

 

[The Hammer]

In your hypothetical multi-religion theocracy, is each religion willing to sign off on the others being divinely inspired?

I doubt it. But perhaps if they all had a common enemy they despised enough.
A demon army, maybe? Or an unholy alliance of atheists and aliens?

What can I say I'm an eternal optimist.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

What can I say I'm an eternal optimist.

I love that about you, big fella.

 

[The Hammer]

In your hypothetical multi-religion theocracy, is each religion willing to sign off on the others being divinely inspired?

I doubt it. But perhaps if they all had a common enemy they despised enough.
A demon army, maybe? Or an unholy alliance of atheists and aliens?

Maybe they can all sign off on each other being Divinely inspired because we all only have some Truth, but not all of it

Why else would there be many paths up the same Mt?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Maybe they can all sign off on each other being Divinely inspired because we all only have some Truth, but not all of it

Why else would there be many paths up the same Mt?

I think there are many paths. Some are rockier than others, and some are heavily scattered with goat poo.
Whilst I don't subscribe to Truth, I would say some of the paths lead to a nice, peaceful view. Some meander around aimlessly. And some lead to a large TV screen tuned permanently to Keeping Up With the Kardashians. (ie. Hell)

 

[icehorse]

"Theocracy, government by divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided. In many theocracies, government leaders are members of the clergy, and the state's legal system is based on religious law. Theocratic rule was typical of early civilizations."

theocracy | Definition, Examples, & Facts

Is a theocracy really a bad thing? Or can it be/do good?

What if the Theocracy put in place respects all religions, run by a parliament of multiple religious clergy, such as Abrahamics, Hindu, Pagan, and Buddhists, for instance.

What if we remove the section of the definition where laws are based around a specific religion itself? A humanistic theocracy perhaps. Run by philosopher-kings.

The OP seems a bit self-contradictory? How could a theocracy be governed by BOTH the clergy AND philosophers?

==

Second point: It's hard to see how a justice system based on "faith" and not logic would be very just.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

"Theocracy, government by divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided. In many theocracies, government leaders are members of the clergy, and the state's legal system is based on religious law. Theocratic rule was typical of early civilizations."

theocracy | Definition, Examples, & Facts

Is a theocracy really a bad thing? Or can it be/do good?

What if the Theocracy put in place respects all religions, run by a parliament of multiple religious clergy, such as Abrahamics, Hindu, Pagan, and Buddhists, for instance.

What if we remove the section of the definition where laws are based around a specific religion itself? A humanistic theocracy perhaps. Run by philosopher-kings.

There has to be a balance.

More likely a rule of men that ask for guidance when making decisions.

Regards Tony