Is Democracy a sinful form of government?

Question

When I consider things like "The 7 Deadly Sins" and "The 7 heavenly Virtues", I see a pattern.

Vanity=belief in yourself (man), Faith=belief in God.
Lust=desire for what man has to offer, Hope=desire for what God has to offer.
Greed=collecting riches for yourself(man), Charity=collecting riches for God

The sins are centered around Man. The virtues are centered around God.

Also, consider The Lord's Prayer: "...thy KINGDOM come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."

Heaven is a monarchy, with God as the monarch. If God's will is to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, then all earthly governments should be monarchies.

Democracy, literally, is rule by the people. Or, rule by Man, if you will. If a government is centered on protecting the rights of Man, as opposed to the monarch, does that then make Democracy itself sinful?

"Nowhere in the Bible or anywhere else does God say that. Democracy is, if anything, LESS sinful than a monarchy."

That's because when the Bible was written, there were no democracies. My question is, essentially, if there had been democratic or representative forms of government at that time, would they have been considered sinful, given that it caters to Man, instead of God.

BTW, heaven DOES have a government. God is that government. "L'etat c'est God", so to speak.

Answer 1

Democracy doesn't exist.

Answer 2

YOU READY..... yes sins and virtues are opposites and any way MAN governs can be sinful as with any thing man does yeah a democracy is about protecting those under it so is a monarchy no matter how you govern the problem is in MAN not the method. FYI charity is a bout giving to those in need those in need that have hope that their faith. Faith that God will make a way where their is none. And it is true that some with faith in God do not receive charity when they are in need but that is because those who can give don't because greed there own or fear of anothers that a person is only lusting after any thing they can give this is a sign of mans vanity that they know better and can differentiate who is in need and who is not

Answer 3

Your argument is interesting, but flawed. Belief in yourself isn't vanity; vanity is synonymous with arrogance. There's a big difference. Lust is inappropriate and willfully uncontrolled sexual acts, particularly when it's not in your best interests. Greed isn't collecting riches for yourself; greed is hoarding material possessions for the sake of hoarding them. The average Joe earning his wages so that he can support himself and his family isn't "greed".

The phrase "thy kingdom, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" does not equate to running earthly governments as theocratic monarchies. What makes you assume heaven even HAS a government? Does heaven collect taxes? Do the angels vote in political parties? Does heaven put up road signs saying "Watch your nickel at work" and not make any progress on that project for years? Of course not. What works in heaven probably wouldn't work so well in a chaotic and flawed place as Earth is. You also assume that God, by default, wants monarchies on earth, or that he frowns on democracy... what a load of rubbish. Nowhere in the Bible or anywhere else does God say that. Democracy is, if anything, LESS sinful than a monarchy. There is more accountability in a democracy (or its modern version, a republic) than there is in a monarchy, where a single person and his family has absolute power to do as they please, whether or not it is right. The people have no say and are utterly at the mercy of an individual that likely does not have their best interests in mind. As someone advocated the idea of humans as inherently flawed and sinful, I would have expected you to arrive at this conclusion. I would suggest you look at statements and ideas as they are, not in some bizarre sideways manner.

Answer 4

Jesus said “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

People hostile to Jesus' teachings tried to trap Him into making statements. They asked Him this so that he would lose his credibility as the Messiah. Simply if he advocated paying taxes to the Roman Empire his followers would turn against Him.

What was he telling us here? The interpretaiton has varied through time. Was he advocating the Separation of Church and State or Paying taxes and obeying authority or not paying taxes or obeying authority, Devoting your life to God not man mad institution or telling us the dangers of blindly following the State over God?

I happen to believe it is telling us to focus on God. We live on earth and may have to deal with the reality of Man Made Institutions however no man asks more of us than God nor can a Man Made institutions offer us the rewards God can. So maybe you have to pay your taxes, but live your life according to Gods laws and you will have your ultimate reward.

Yes, democracy is rule by man. The sinfulness comes in when you put that Man Made law in your life above God.

Following your logic ANY government is sinful, not just democracy because its man made. But we have to live on this earth together and government is a way that humans make this possible. Jesus is acknowleding this reality in this verse.


Interesting question!!

Answer 5

The "Seven Heavenly Virtues" were obviously designed to contrast with their "sinful" counterparts, so it's little wonder that you see a pattern. But the objective, "God" could just as easily be "humanity". One can have faith in humanity, and hope in humanity. Charity is not "collecting riches for God" by any stretch. (And the usual characterization is collecting spiritual rather than worldly riches, but I realize this spoils your "pattern". The true contrast is selfishness vs. altruism.

Your argument for monarchy (Earthly or spiritual) is an abdication of responsibility. People who yearn for a "king" are afraid of taking the blame for poor decisions. They want to be childish and have someone else take care of them. They tend to be idealists and avoid thinking about the consequences of their actions. That's how crusades and inquisitions come about.

Democracy is akin to that Bible verse about God writing his Law upon people's hearts. By taking mature responsibility for their own self-goverment, people accept the consequences and are motivated to avoid mistakes.. They prefer to solve problems rather than establish blame. Monarchists have the excuse: "It is the king's will," or "I was just following orders." Which attitude is more selfish, or "sinful"?

Answer 6

Yes it is.

God created humans. He knows us best than we can know ourselves or any one else. God gave us basic laws and told us what is right thing to do and what is wrong thing to do and also gave punishments of crimes which will deter criminals to commit crimes.

We commit sin when we reject God's laws. In Democracy
we make laws ourselves through our representatives that are against the teachings and Laws of God.

For Example God Prohibits consumption of alcohol for our own good so we stay healthy and don't kill each other by car accident under influence of alcohol. But in western Democracy people can make any law with majority vote even against the Laws that God gave us through His Divine Revelations. Citizens in democracy cause miseries to themselves. Corruption also plays part in making laws that serve the interest of rich men even though it hurts the common men.

Answer 7

I wouldn't say Democracy is a sinful form of government, but I would say it is one that neglects the will of the people. Democracy is not representative.

Answer 8

And Jesus taught to "Love thy neighbour."

I think history shows that Democracy on the whole is more sucessful than a Monarchy.

Answer 9

All governments are sinful because they do not give you the ability to think for oneself but make all your decisions from the cradle to the grave and what's worse is you let them!

Answer 10

would you prefer a theocracy?

church and state are two separate entities in our country, buddy. if the majority doesn't rule, what should?