If one religious denomination was in control of a government, could that be considered a dictatorship?

Question

It looks like the Iraqi was has come down to Sunni vs. Shia. They're both Muslim, so what's the big deal? The Sunni want ONLY Sunni to be in control, while Shia seem to be open to the concept of a mixed democratic government. You don't see other countries having a civil war for the sake of having only one religious denomination in complete control. When will the Sunni realize that democracy works because God loves the concept of FREE WILL and CHOICE?

Answer 1

This is called a theocracy - it is where the state is governed by religion. Historically there have been many states ruled as theocracies, in some ways Anceient Egypt was a theocracy as the Pharoh was an incarnation of their god.
Personally I don't think theocratic governments are viable in a multi-ethic or multi-faith society as they will undoubtedly be forced to discriminate against others, also in many ways theocracies are bad for internationalism.

Answer 2

If one religious denomination is in control of a government, it is not necessarily a dictatorship. It might be called a theocracy, or a milder form of control would just call it an established church. The UK still has an established church but gradually allowed religious freedom. The US Constitution expressly prohibits an established religion and also guarantees the free exercise of religion.

But in answer to the other part of your question, I'm not sure all religious people would agree with you that God loves democracy. In fact, a lot of them would argue that the whole idea of democracy is antithetical to their religion. For if you truly know how God wants you to act, why would you allow people to make laws contrary to that? You have to accept the fact that your religion does not have a monopoly on the truth, and that everyone else's ideas are equally valid, to believe in democracy. Fundamentalists are never going to accept that.

Answer 3

Dictatorship is the rule of one person. One religious group (or part of a whole religion like Islam) ruling a country is not a dictatorship; however, it does lend itself to one way of viewing all issues, which is not good for any other religious group under their control.

If the leader of a particular religious group that gains control becomes the leader, say a king, then the country becomes a theocracy, or a country ruled by a religious leader.

The Shi'ites (Shia) are the more conservative of the two groups of Islam. They tend to want stricter control of everything, including government and society. I guess you would say they are the fundamentalists of Islam.

Iraq, like Iran, tends to be more fundamentalist, while other countries of the Middle East are not so conservative in their outlook.

Answer 4

The Sunni are one faction and the Shia is another faction of Iraq.
Each one is vying for power to control because control gives them power.

The Irish were at war with each other in 1920 when the Free State people fought the Republican people over a treaty with the English. Same religion, it doesn’t matter what religion sometimes.
Its how people want their country ran.

Answer 5

Dictatorship can be defined by the "right to vote" - and when I say
vote that means both men and women. There is no voting in Cuba,
therefore it is a dictatorship. However, this is a dangerous field
because in quite a few countries you may vote, as long as the
same man remains President or is appointed by him alone.
In this case you will vote for congress, senate or Parliament only
to claim democracy, to get foreign loans etc., but in these cases
the President usually has the power (military) to veto any decision
which does not please him.

Answer 6

It wouldn't automatically be a dictatorship, also Iraq is definitely not the only nation who's having/had a civil war regarding this and it's not just in the middle east. Look at the Protestants and catholics Ireland.

Answer 7

Can you look at any question posted here about religious issues or the Middle East and honestly say that our country isn't in the middle of a civil war for religious control? We don't shoot one another but we're taking sides.

Answer 8

The Southern Baptists have been running the US for years. American democracy means you get a choice of which Southern Baptist to vote for every 4 years. This is the democracy America want to export to the rest of the world. No wonder Iraq's a mess.

Answer 9

It depends if the government is voted in fairly by the majority.

They can still commit persicution but if it is a fair democracy then it can not be a dictatorship.

Answer 10

If one religious denomination is in control of a government, it is called a theocracy.