I mean, yes, religion is pretty obviously present in our society. But I think that calling it a theocracy is exaggerating it a bit.
2007-02-06 04:43:54 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because they're ignorant.
The USA is a democracy with a very heavy Christian constituency. We are made up of different religions and non religions who are free to practice as we wish without retribution.
The US better beware because we're getting a huge influx of people who would change that.
2007-02-06 04:56:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, I have never heard this country referred to as a theocracy. In my opinion a theocracy is a government that is controlled by a specific religious faction. The USA is based on a religious concept....individual rights...law....moral decency etc. but I don't think we are controlled by any specific religion. It is true however that religious leaders do have an impact on policy because they may "represent" a large number of voters. I think this is true in any government that uses the democratic process. AARP represents senior citizens and they are the largest voting block in the country....and...senior citizens are more likely to have a religious background. In addition, young people are looking for something to believe in and often they too will turn to the church. This gives the churches a lot of power to swing elections one way or another.
2007-02-06 12:53:50 · answer #2 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not one to say the USA is currently a theocracy, but it is closer to it now than it ever has been, even when the puritans came here. Just read a few questions up here right now, wanting to use the bible to make Constitutional amendments, a senator who wanted to make adultery illegal because it's against God's law, and the number of people who want to use the 10 commandments to make laws.
I like to call it "Christianism" and it's what the politicians cater to. They know that if they come across all pious, they will get the Christian vote. Few of them are as Christian as they seem, but the believers lap it up like a cat does cream.
And we've got "God's Candidate" in office and he does not shy away from using his bible to do his job. When the "rulers" of a nation use their beliefs and their religious text to do their job, it's close to a theocracy.
While the country was founded on religious freedom, the Christians seem to think that means they are free to convert any non-believers and are free to use their religious to rule the country.
2007-02-06 12:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've never actually heard anyone say this but the thought is interesting. Our constitution guarantees a separation of church and state. But we all know that isn't the case. Our currency says "In God we trust" on it. When our public figures are sworn in with one hand on the Bible and add "So help me God" to the end. For many years prayer, was a part of every child's school day and since it has been removed, there has been much controversy over it. Still they pledge allegince to the national emblem saying "one nation under God". Controversy has begun to stir about the celebration of "Christian" holidays in public places with taxpayer dollars. No politician In America has any hope of being elected if he does not court religious leaders who in turn direct their flocks toward "civic responsibility" Where will this all lead? Revelation 18:1-3 says "After these things I saw another angel descending from heaven, with great authority; and the earth was lighted up from his glory. Â And he cried out with a strong voice, saying: “She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen, and she has become a dwelling place of demons and a lurking place of every unclean exhalation and a lurking place of every unclean and hated bird! Â For because of the wine of the anger of her fornication all the nations have fallen [victim], and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the traveling merchants of the earth became rich due to the power of her shameless luxury.”
2007-02-06 13:13:22 · answer #4 · answered by babydoll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is very much too present in our society, but not to the extent that it's a theocracy.
Theocracies have to have real major laws that support religious favoratism. We've got some minor ones, but to really qualify, it'd have to be in the Constitution.
Something big like printing "In God We Trust" on every peice of our currency... oh wait.
2007-02-06 12:50:43 · answer #5 · answered by thinkovaltine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not just an exaggeration, it's false. The U.S. was founded upon certain principles of liberty, among which is freedom of religion. Theocracy means government by a deity or by a chosen representative or representatives of that deity. The U.S. is not that. It's a republic. The government's authority comes from the consent of the governed--we, the people.
2007-02-06 12:48:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
OK thats scary! id like to know who has been saying that? Maybe its because people want a theocracy, so they call it that before it becomes one.
2007-02-06 12:47:06 · answer #7 · answered by xians_are_evil777 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i agree. religion is definitely a strong force, but the USA is far from a theocracy.
2007-02-06 12:47:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's getting there. When we have a doctrinaire President who calls for a "national day of prayer", it's pretty darn close.
2007-02-06 12:50:16 · answer #9 · answered by Contemplative Monkey 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
One Nation under God
2007-02-06 12:58:03 · answer #10 · answered by shiningon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋