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Theocracy vs Secular State

Pocongsetengahsalmon

Socialist, Nationalist, Religious Muslim
Tally ho! Guten tag!

THEOCRACY OR SECULARISM, which of these do you think is the best to be implemented in a country?

And I'd like to hear your arguments as well

Cheers! :)
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
I'm all about the secular state.
It is less oppressive, & all sorts of faiths can be practiced.
 

Pocongsetengahsalmon

Socialist, Nationalist, Religious Muslim
I'm all about the secular state.
It is less oppressive, & all sorts of faiths can be practiced.

I like your argument, it's quite true that most theocracy states are opressive and sometimes became totalitarian.

But do you think, it's possible that a theocracy country is not oppressive and quite democratic?
 

picnic

Active Member
It seems that if the immutable rules that supposedly came from God matched a democracy's constitution, and if every member of society could participate in the design and implementation of the mutable rules, then it would be just like a democracy?
 

Thief

Rogue Theologian
I would prefer God's law.....but...
I also prefer to say....
Do unto others as you would have it done unto you.

we have never needed anything else or anything more.

I suppose the extremists would continue to be a problem....
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Tally ho! Guten tag!

THEOCRACY OR SECULARISM, which of these do you think is the best to be implemented in a country?

And I'd like to hear your arguments as well

Cheers! :)
Most definitely seculalism (after I researched both words). No one religion has a monopoloy every person's life. God has no authority over my life so I dont share any law that promotes god over my life and any other person with whom knows nothing about "god".

I do understand the need to have spiritual foundation for our country (US). I dont see that happening given we have so many people of various beliefs and each has a right to their beliefs.

Religion shouldnt be used to govern a country.

Thats my take if I understood the OP right. No ceasar salad here.

Nam.
:leafwind:
 

The Sum of Awe

Brought to you by the moment that spacetime began.
Staff member
Premium Member
Considering all the terrible parts of history; the holocaust, ebola, titanic, etc, God just sat through, regardless of which God (your's, mine, Bill Cosby's) and what reason (freewill, impotence, master plan) theocracy rules in the same way anarchy does
 

arthra

Baha'i
Theocratic states have had an abysmal human rights record. Fortunately around 1948.. Most of the nations on our planet accepted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights...

Article 18

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20
  1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
  2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
 

Sees

Dragonslayer
Secularism...but it's more complicated than I think some see it. Religion and culture are always entangled and religious elements are inevitable. It is set-in-stone laws and restrictions from on High carried over into State laws and restrictions that is the no-no.
 

Glaurung

Denizen of Niflheim
Name one theocracy that did not end up a totalitarian mess. The current Papacy is not eligible, it's far too small.
Would an officially recognised state religion count as theocratic? Monaco recognises religious freedom, but it is constitutionally Roman Catholic.
 

Riverwolf

Amateur Rambler / Proud Ergi
Premium Member
Tally ho! Guten tag!

THEOCRACY OR SECULARISM, which of these do you think is the best to be implemented in a country?

And I'd like to hear your arguments as well

Cheers! :)

Secularism. I simply cannot conceive of decent justifications for a theocracy of any kind. Heck, the only justifications I can think of at all are varying degrees of "it's cool". Much like non-constitutional monarchies, really.

It is not up to the state to interfere in the religious lives of its citizens. Individuals ought to be free to worship, or not worship, as they please without any support or condemnation from their government, and the government should not condone nor condemn any particular religious practice that does not violate its laws.

Government exists to protect the people, first and foremost. That includes making, enforcing, and interpreting laws. Laws should exist solely to further that goal of protecting the people. Therefore, laws should only be made that address and prevent real, measurable harm to the people. What Gods people worship, or choose to not worship, brings no inherent, direct harm to anyone, and therefore is not a matter in which the law should get involved, unless specific practices violate the country's already-standing laws.

I also have a personal stake in this. I choose to give homage to the Old Gods, and in doing so harm nobody. My rights should not be compromised because I choose not to give homage to whatever Gods a hypothetical theocratic government officially honors, nor should anyone else's rights be compromised for the same, or choosing to not give homage, or even believe in the existence of, any Gods.
 
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