Is a Christian Theocracy possible?

Question

I see this theocracy fear posed by alot of nonchristians and was wondering what it is based on.
We managed to have school sponsered prayer for many years, people arrested for homosexual acts, abortion banned and never did we become a theocracy. Now we have legal and unlimited abortions, gay marriage will one day soon be an American reality, we have dropped school sponsored prayer, governments, schools, and even the secular establishment have abolished the words Merry Christmas and have replaced them with more benign, less specific references (winterfest, holiday season, etc) A ton of politicians espouse "god" and as long as God is watered down and not too much in the public square its "ok" otherwise some Christians are made to look like hatemongers for having opposing opinions. My question is where is the fear that there is going to be a takeover by the Christian right and a formed theocracy? Is it not clear that Christianity in its true form is just not that popular anymore?

Answer 1

Thanks for your in my last response, Lucid Freedom.

The rest here from another Q a month ago is for those who are sadly misinformed and incorrectly believe that American Christians are for a theocracy. Most Americans never bought into this incorrect view, else why would they have elected Reagan in the 80's and Bush this decade? No, and American history is replete with examples about why the correct understanding is to the contrary. We American Christians always espoused democracy, and always will. However, ironically, the question appears to remain in doubt whether those who are left of center are really interested in a democracy, or just enforcing their views, no matter how so (by any means necessary, i.e., Dianne Feinstein and company wanting to impose the "fairness" doctrine on radio talk show hosts?). Shouldn't it always be up the people what we want to hear, and not the government?

"The difference in the 18th century American experiment to other governmental bodies and states throughout history before this time was that any religious institution and/or denomination would dictate law, policies and social mores and issues, rather than by the majority of its aggregate voters via their governmental representatives. Yes, we evangelicals do believe in the separation of church and state, contrary to what was practiced in monarchal and ecclesiastical (church)government of England at the time. This is why we even declared our independence from them in 1776, right?

The problem with the secularists understanding of what this means is quite distorted to its original intent by Thomas
Jefferson's letter to a Baptist denomination. Remember, you won't find this statement "separation of church and state" at all in the US Constitution nor the Declaration of Independence! And, it was not separation of religion (personal convictions and life conduct of the people) and state, but church (the institution and/or a particular denomination) and state! This is why this one Jeffersonian quote from a previous responder is so misunderstood, "In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty." A "priest" represented the church instutition and the monarchy, as the bishops in the Church of England, not all the religious people of a state! No, Jefferson meant just the inverse in this letter. The state was not to interfere with church polity and expression, not that religious mores and ideals of the church should have no bearing on government laws, policies, public education and sociocultural issues. To him, that would've been nonsense, and barbaric even! This following Jeffersonian quote proves it, "The only foundation for useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion."

This noble Jeffersonian prescription, was actually based on a plain and simple observation from him of what had already been put into action by those Americans dedicated to the pursuit and advancement of education. 88 of the first 100 colleges were established to prepare men for the ministry. The first Bible printed in the USA was for public schools, and first graders learned a verse in the book of Proverbs for every letter of the alphabet. Lastly, the Supreme Court of the USA commonly used the Word of God to justify their decisions.

The question really comes down to is this, in a democracy, the majority vote always should have predominance about establishment and enforcement law, no matter what human philosophical system of thinking is behind it all! Else, wouldn't that be inconsistent with the tenets of democracy? And, on the contrary, American evangelical Christians are totally in favor of having and keeping this kind of government that you apparently desire, that being that this practical form of governing highlights the rights of each individual to vote, speak about what he or she believes, and freedom to worship, or not to, any religious deity. And, concerning American law, since personal values will differ, the rule of the
majority of our representatives in government must be
upheld and obeyed.

Btw, do you believe that democracy is the best form of government, or is legislation only conditioned upon whether the rule of the majority agree with you? Otherwise, wouldn't calling religion being "forced" upon government and your public life, rather than you being in agreement to its enforcement despite your disagreement with it as a voter in the minority, anti-democratic in some fashion, maybe even fascist [i.e., such as what's the underlying philosophy of the hate crimes legislation of today (the thought police) is to push its legislation, no matter what the majority thinks, because it's only important what a minority thinks?] If its the latter, then you are not really for democracy, are you?

Given the aforesaid, evangelical Christianity is drastically different from say, Talibanism, rather than in any way similar, n'est pas? By the way, this aforesaid form of American government has been in practice, to the envy of the world, from the late 18th century until just recently, starting in 1948. Contrary to what is being taught today about American history in the public schools, even the basis of establishing the American federal government was found in the Word of God, according to Alexander Hamilton, who made the proposal. He cited Isaiah 33:22, "For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, and the Lord is our King. He will save us." Thus, in this verse we find the basis for the establishment of the greatest governmental system the world has ever known, that being its three branches: the judicial, the legislative and the executive.

It was only when the US Supreme Court in 1948 chose to reinterpret to their own liking the intent of that letter of Thomas Jefferson to the Baptists, with a spurious meaning that this Jeffersonian doctrine of the separation of church and state means to protect the public from the influence of religious values and practices. What??? This 1948 judicial understanding of this doctrine totally ignores almost 200 years of how legislation was indeed practiced, and successfully at that! It has only been since 1948, less than 60 years of governing, has your view gradually having become predominant due to judicial decisions; not popular vote. The US Supreme Court Justice Reinquist, before he retired, stated that this 1948 ruling has made this Jeffersonian doctrine absolutely meaningless, leaving it to be reinterpreted in any capricious way that the US courts of tomorrow choose.

And, its ruling as it is today compels us evangelical Christians to abide by its unfortunate reinforcement, which again was not done by popular vote, but by judicial fiat. Now, fiat does mean "being forced". Therefore, a secularist view unfairly is only represented in our public schools, still today. Why not both? And, even more so, where's the freedom of the majority to make a decision about this, even if the majority would vote for just a secularist view to still be represented?

Btw, all our presidential forefathers and most prominent political figures throughout the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries were known to be religious, upholding a Judeo-Christian ethic of American life and cultural expression, even Thomas Jefferson himself, who was a deist. If you doubt me about this, I'll be more than glad to send you quotes from all of our presidential forefathers indicating this to be true.

If anyone is interested in finding out about where my proof is for any or all of statements I made and views, (that being in the pudding, so-to-speak), I'd be glad to send you any of my historical research and quotes!

Thanks for reading and God bless America!

Answer 2

Christianity never made any real sense in the first place.
It had to be rammed down the throats of the non- believers.
Don't believe me? Look at the Bible - how much of it's content is "preaching" and instilling the fear of God and of reinforcing the fear of death, to it's readers?
And saying only God can save you... And so you have a lot of propaganda being repeated all the time. Other religions tend to do this too --- meaning all they are really after, is power and control over the population, so that they have 'power'.

If you have the world gaining knowledge over time, wisdom eventually follows - such that religions will lose their strangehold over the people - for believing in non-senible ideas, etc.
God does not make any kind of sense. He does not exist, in the meanings we give to God. People say - Oh, there MUST be a Creator. Who created things then? Well, the question becomes who created the Creator? God cannot create himself, can he? So he couldn't exist in the first place.
The other explanation, is that all things are created by a process, called the Creation, call it the life force or the creativity of life - which everything is part of.

The world is awakening, slowly and surely towards the truth.
That we are all the 'same' - no one is more special than another. We all go through the same processes...
Religion does not change that, nor could it, ever...

Answer 3

Not now, not ever as thing are now. If you want to read about the only possibility of that read the book called Revelations in the Bible. The last book talks about the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth. It is very interesting. It also gives the conditions for this happening. People find this book hard to read and understand, so don't be surprised if it is kind of strange.

Right now the only kingdom ruled by Christ is the hearts of individual people who believe in and trust Him. Our world is filled with conflicts and hate and will never be ruled by Jesus openly until this world ends and a new one is built.

Answer 4

I don't think that most would. Most Americans are fine with the democratic republic that we currently have. There are certain fundamentalists groups that are in favor of theocracy but they would never admit to it. They want to use the government to push their narrow brand of Christianity. They want to control the schools and make their moral codes into laws that everyone must follow.

Answer 5

What those who are speaking with propaganda intend to do, is corner what they refer to as " The Christian Right" , get them by themselves, and then finish them off once and for all.

Much of what I see both attacking Christianity and supporting Christianity, are so confused it's difficult to know where to start. The opposing side are easy to deal with, they attack and we defend. Anyone can recognize that necessity.

But what about the Church? What are we to do with so many in the church who allow every tradition to dominate what Christianity is? Like Christmas? Now that Christmas has been in the church for centuries many feel like Jesus Christ Himself is threatened if anyone attacks Christmas.

So the devil has his big laugh, at the expense of Christians, who stupidly cannot let go of a tradition with Pagan origins, that the devil started in the first place ( but we keep it because WE like it, not God ) , and then we are behaving oh so poorly because someone won't put CHRISTMAS on their front door. And another doesn't allow CHRISTMAS on anyones front door. And another wants it just stopped: then there are the Christians who are thinking that Christianity is being attacked and cry as if Christmas was anything at all.

I probably will have one person who reads all of that, and a couple of thumbs down.

Answer 6

The hateful *pseudo*-Christian RRR Cult, comprised of only a very noisy and noisome 6% of Americans who *profess* Christianity is the only threat to American democracy from within. They're as ignorant and mean as the equally-bigoted segregationists were, but if we're lucky, their loathsome and mindless agendas WILL join those of the segregationists in extinction. Soon. And then they will no longer be able to unfairly paint the undeserving and tolerant 94% of *actual* American Christians with the brush of bigotry.

The RRR Cult's only hope of perpetuating itself is keeping a Republican President in the White House. See my article on that at this NON-commercial site, for more details. ---

http://apifar.blogspot.com/2007/11/its-not-votes-that-count-its-who-counts_25.html

Answer 7

It is possible, but not probable. I disagree with your statement about Christianity lacking popularity, and I think Christianity has a very large influence on US politics. If it weren't for the Christian vote and the idea that Republicans are the "pro-life party," George W. wouldn't have stood a chance in either election.

Answer 8

And yet, when's the last time we had a non-Christian president? And look at how easily the current one managed to chip away at our rights. I think the fear of theocracy of any stripe is a healthy fear :)

Answer 9

We have had them

Its why people fled to America.

The Inquisition, the Dark Ages, all of the brutality of 1000 years of Christian rule are a vicious testament to Christian Theocratic principle.

Thankfully our laws are not in the slightest based on this now - heck, only two of the 10 Commandments are in law, and they are pretty obvious ones.

Christians are hatemongers - they have directed their hate against me and I have never,e ver done a thing wrong - except to not conform to their WASP ideal.

Theocracies are at their heart vile and evil and much to be fought against. Good people do fight against the,. And this gives me hope.

Answer 10

Yes.

Answer 11

been done before...and your right before the 70's or late 60's
we did alot of "christian" things that are not allowed today...

its just a sign o' the times...

Christ is coming...