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'''Theocracy''' is a form of government ruled by divine means or by leaders considered to be divinely guided. [[Israel]] was a theocracy before King Saul. The Islamic Republic of [[Iran]] is a modern-day theocracy, as many commentators believe that the real power in its government lies not in allegedly "democratically-elected" leaders like [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] but in clerics within the government since Iranian law requires Presidential candidates to be approved by the [[Guardian Council]] <ref> 

'''Theocracy''' is a form of [[government]] ruled by divine means or by leaders considered to be divinely guided.  

- Officials Must Not Return Gay and Lesbian Asylum Seekers to Iran <i>Human Rights Watch </i>[http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/10/06/sweden14361.htm]</ref>. The [[Vatican]] is a formal Christian theocracy, with the [[Pope]] as head of both church and state.

Only two democracies reserve places in their legislature specifically for representatives of the state religion, these are the aforementioned Islamic Republic of Iran and the [[United Kingdom]] where Bishops of the [[Church of England]] sit in the upper chamber, the [[House of Lords]] under the designation of Lords Spiritual. By technicality, [[Vatican City]] is a theocracy, as it is ruled by the Pope, placed by a divine election.

 

 

 

 

* Only two democracies reserve places in their legislature specifically for representatives of the state religion, these are the aforementioned Islamic Republic of Iran and the [[United Kingdom]] where Bishops of the [[Church of England]] sit in the upper chamber, the [[House of Lords]] under the designation of Lords Spiritual.  

==Theocracy as tyranny==

==Theocracy as tyranny==

[[C.S. Lewis]] wrote:

[[C.S. Lewis]] wrote:

:Of all tyrannies, a [[tyranny]] sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under [[Robber Baron|robber barons]] than under omnipotent moral [[busybody|busybodies]]. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own [[conscience]]. [http://www.tsowell.com/quotes.html]

:Of all tyrannies, a [[tyranny]] sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most [[oppression|oppressive]]. It would be better to live under [[Robber Baron|robber barons]] than under omnipotent moral [[busybody|busybodies]]. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own [[conscience]]. [http://www.tsowell.com/quotes.html]

Theocracy may also describe any government which seeks to impose religious principles or law, such as the [[Sharia]], or the Hindu laws of [[Manu Smriti]] <ref>The laws of Manu <i>George Buhler, translated by</i> [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu.htm]</ref> on its population, even if the government is formally [[secular]].   

Theocracy may also describe any government which seeks to impose religious principles or law, such as the [[Sharia]], or the Hindu laws of [[Manu Smriti]] <ref>The laws of Manu <i>George Buhler, translated by</i> [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu.htm]</ref> on its population, even if the government is formally [[secular]].   

One well known example of such a state is Saudi Arabia where the legal system is based on Sharia (Islamic law as interpreted by state authorities), Saudi Arabia also has a [[religious police]] <ref>Saudi Arabia - The Legal System <i>U.S. Library Of Congress</i> [http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/51.htm]</ref>

One well known example of such a state is Saudi Arabia where the legal system is based on Sharia ([[Islamic law]] as interpreted by state authorities), [[Saudi Arabia]] also has a [[religious police]] <ref>Saudi Arabia - The Legal System <i>U.S. Library Of Congress</i> [http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/51.htm]</ref>

In Israel, civil cases under the [[Halakhah]] (traditional Jewish law based on the [[Torah]]) are allowed.

In [[Israel]], civil cases under the [[Halakhah]] (traditional [[Jewish]] law based on the [[Torah]]) are allowed.

==Theocracy and the Kingdom of Heaven==

==Theocracy and the Kingdom of Heaven==

In a society where most people are centered on God, and really in touch with His love and His will, the formal system of laws and courts will probably be less necessary.

In a society where most people are centered on God, and really in touch with His love and His will, the formal system of laws and courts will probably be less necessary.

[[Sun Myung Moon|Rev. Moon]] said, "Eventually we will not need elections. If people go back to their hometowns and serve they will be asked to take public offices, become a king or queen, whoever becomes the center of their hometown does not need to be elected." (unofficial sermon notes, Nov. 23, 2010)

[[Sun Myung Moon|Rev. Moon]] said, "Eventually we will not need [[election]]s. If people go back to their hometowns and serve they will be asked to take public offices, become a [[king]] or [[queen]], whoever becomes the center of their hometown does not need to be elected." (unofficial sermon notes, Nov. 23, 2010)

This idea is in contrast to the a forcible theocracy, in which [[theocratic law]] is imposed with penalties.

This idea is in contrast to the a forcible theocracy, in which [[theocratic law]] is imposed with penalties.

==Arguments against theocracy==

==Arguments against theocracy==

*Stifling of speech. In a theocracy, it would be counterlogical to allow the citizens to know, or accept other religions or ideologies.  Presumably, some mechanism will be placed to prevent dangerous speech, or make the ideas within artificially unwanted.  

* Stifling of [[free speech]] and [[freedom of religion]]. In a theocracy, it would be counterlogical to allow the [[citizen]]s to know, or accept other religions or ideologies.  Presumably, some mechanism will be placed to prevent dangerous speech, or make the ideas within artificially unwanted.  

*Thought is severely engineered, to prevent "dangerous" thoughts (Atheism, etc).

* Thought is severely engineered, to prevent "dangerous" thoughts ([[Atheism]], etc).

*Unaccountable government. Because the government is supposedly an extension of a deity, they cannot be held accountable.  

* Unaccountable government. Because the government is supposedly an extension of a deity, they cannot be held accountable.  

== See also ==

== See also ==