Theocracy - most dangerous form of government?

Question

Discuss.

Answer 1

Not necessarily.

While a theocracy certainly can be dangerous, so can almost any other form of government.

Personally, I would put any government that puts its own concerns above the needs of the people as a dangerous government. Dictatorships of all stripes, whether they be monarchies, military juntas, theocracies, fascist states, 'communist' oligarchies, or even subverted representative democracies can all become dangerous.

Even democracies, the least dangerous form of government we've devised so far, are not perfect, capable of sliding into the tyranny of the majority, or subverted by corrupt or deluded politicians who weasel around the checks and balances put in the system specifically to stop things like Presedential constitutional exceptions.

All governments should be afraid of their people, not the other way around.

Answer 2

Human rulers have been using God to rule people since Babylon in Genesis.

Just because a ruler claims to be God's representative, doesn't make that government a theocracy.

Even in the USA, political rulers, use the church every day, from the draft to gaining the religious vote, to our money.

None of these things make the US a theocracy.

A true theocracy is when Jesus takes his great power and exercises his appointment as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Then theocracy will be best and only government around.

Answer 3

I would rate it as number 2.

Right behind a Dictatorship.

With a Dictatorship it only takes one mad-man to ruin peoples lives, with a Theocracy, it could take more than one.

I am as devout of a Christian as I can be but would not ever want to live in a Religious Theocracy, even if it was a Christian one.

Peace!

Answer 4

Funk and Wagnalls dictionary describes theocracy as 'a state or polity or group of people that claims a deity as it's ruler'
What about that sounds bad? Mankinds governments, even under the best of rulers, can only do what humans can do. They could never wipe out hunger 100%, or cure all diseases. They will never conquer hatred, war, famine, death... but God can! And under His rule, which is how He intended it in the beginning, man will be able to live together, in harmony, in perfect health, in a paradise, forever! No human government can promise these things! Even the best of leaders die, or get overthrown by someone who thinks they have a better way. Mankind has proven over and over again that he cannot lead himself.. I vote for rulership by God, any day of the week!

Answer 5

All we need to do to figure out the answer to that one is look at The Crusades, The Spanish Inquisition, The Salem Witch trials, The execution of Nicolus Copernicus, and The Middle East. That should tell you why running a country based on religion is not a good idea.

Answer 6

Yes unless God himself is in leadership then it would be great. As it would be a person or people it would be horrible. Until God is in charge of the world we need to keep church and state separate. We do not need the government to protect us from ourselves that is for God. Government cannot change the heart of man only God can that is why morality should not be legislated but learned individually from God as it only causes more problems. For example the war on drugs. If we did not enact legislation to protect people from using drugs then gangs and gang violence would dwindle as it would be less profitable. If people want to be high it is their right as long as not operating cars or heavy equipment or working in dangerous situations or endangering any one but themselves it is their right.

Answer 7

I would say no argument here, most people should 100% agree, but then most religious people believe in a theocratic heaven so many obviously hold it as some kind of ideal, even when they claim the idea is evil.

Answer 8

They can sure inspire suicidal devotation among followers, but they're not very smart. They tend to be dangerous to themselves too - ie military coups and the such. Check out the Iran-Iraq war.

Answer 9

The worst or the best. It is a difficult question, but in any case, a minister should hold no military power or anything but a guiding position.

Answer 10

Yes I think so. Goverments can not have a concience and they need to make decisions based on facts and not beliefs. I think we are better off with the seperation of church and state.