A What If Scenario: If America Became A Theocracy

Diamond Cross · 09-24-2006, 01:48 AM

If America became a theocracy, who do you think would be allowed to become citizens of America and who wouldn't?

ballz2wallz · 09-24-2006, 08:52 AM

You might have to give us your definition of a theocracy first.

Dumpy Dooby · 09-24-2006, 08:40 PM

No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God.
-- George Bush Sr.

Sounds like Mr. Bush felt we were already a theocracy, and this seems to be the theme of the Republican party as well.

edit: Here's his son's take...

I urge all Texans to answer the call to serve those in need. By volunteering their time, energy or resources to helping others, adults and youngsters follow Christ's message of love and service in thought and deed.
Therefore, I, George W Bush, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim June 10, 2000, Jesus Day in Texas and urge the appropriate recognition whereof,
In official recognition whereof,
I hereby affix my signature this
17th day of April, 2000.
--George Bush Jr.

Diamond Cross · 09-24-2006, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

You might have to give us your definition of a theocracy first.

A government ruled by religious authority.

In this case based on Judeo-Christianity.

Dumpy Dooby · 09-25-2006, 01:10 AM

IMO, it's as close to a theocracy as you can get without actually being a theocracy. We are heavily influenced by Christianity in this country. Though we don't have religious leaders that are in political power, we have political people in power that are very religious, and base their decisions on their religiosity, which fucking scares me.

ballz2wallz · 09-25-2006, 07:35 AM

I don't think we are ruled by religious authority; we are ruled by religious influences, but that's hardly the same.

That said, I would assume those allowed into this country would be the same as those allowed into any other theocracy in the past.

motivez · 09-25-2006, 03:56 PM

I wouldn't want to be a part of a theocracy, I'd give up my citizenship and move elsewhere if that's what were to happen.

That is, assuming there wasn't any type of recourse for people who were unwilling to buy into whatever specific religious dogma was used.

IminWonderland · 09-25-2006, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I wouldn't want to be a part of a theocracy, I'd give up my citizenship and move elsewhere if that's what were to happen.

That is, assuming there wasn't any type of recourse for people who were unwilling to buy into whatever specific religious dogma was used.

I agree....

If I was told I had to raise my children as the religion of the majority as law, and that I could be sent to a "re-education" I would move. There is just no way I want to live under that.

KatKanPlay · 09-27-2006, 09:13 PM

I would have to leave.

lew · 09-28-2006, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

IMO, it's as close to a theocracy as you can get without actually being a theocracy. We are heavily influenced by Christianity in this country. Though we don't have religious leaders that are in political power, we have political people in power that are very religious, and base their decisions on their religiosity, which fucking scares me.

But their's a HUGE difference between the two.

lew · 09-28-2006, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God.
-- George Bush Sr.
Sounds like Mr. Bush felt we were already a theocracy, and this seems to be the theme of the Republican party as well.

edit: Here's his son's take...

I urge all Texans to answer the call to serve those in need. By volunteering their time, energy or resources to helping others, adults and youngsters follow Christ's message of love and service in thought and deed.
Therefore, I, George W Bush, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim June 10, 2000, Jesus Day in Texas and urge the appropriate recognition whereof,
In official recognition whereof,
I hereby affix my signature this
17th day of April, 2000.
--George Bush Jr.

Bush Sr. was an idiot in making that comment.

Dubya's proclaimation means nothing to me. States have power to proclaim official religious days, as long as they don't interfere with other people's beliefs.

Diesel66 · 09-29-2006, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

IMO, it's as close to a theocracy as you can get without actually being a theocracy. We are heavily influenced by Christianity in this country. Though we don't have religious leaders that are in political power, we have political people in power that are very religious, and base their decisions on their religiosity, which fucking scares me.

So people cannot pass legislation based on their beliefs if they come from religion ? But they can pass all the moral based legislation if they are atheists

Dumpy Dooby · 09-29-2006, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

So people cannot pass legislation based on their beliefs if they come from religion ?

No, that's not what I said, nor implied.

But they can pass all the moral based legislation if they are atheists

I didn't know that atheism and religion were mutually exclusive.

Diesel66 · 09-29-2006, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

No, that's not what I said, nor implied.

So what did you mean when you said this ?
we have political people in power that are very religious, and base their decisions on their religiosity, which fucking scares me

Dumpy Dooby · 09-29-2006, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

So what did you mean when you said this ?
we have political people in power that are very religious, and base their decisions on their religiosity, which fucking scares me

Do you not know the difference between religiosity and belief?

Basing decisions on one's religiosity scares me. Basing decisions that are not on one's religiosity does not scare me. Someone can be religious and still be accepting of the fact that other people may not agree with their religion, and base their decisions accordingly.

Clear enough?

Diesel66 · 09-30-2006, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

Do you not know the difference between religiosity and belief?

Basing decisions on one's religiosity scares me. Basing decisions that are not on one's religiosity does not scare me. Someone can be religious and still be accepting of the fact that other people may not agree with their religion, and base their decisions accordingly.

Clear enough?

Still comes back to the same thing, if I push a law banning abortion and I am nonreligious then the law is good. But if I do the same law and am religious then the law is bad ?

Dumpy Dooby · 09-30-2006, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

Still comes back to the same thing, if I push a law banning abortion and I am nonreligious then the law is good. But if I do the same law and am religious then the law is bad ?

It depends on how you're backing it.

btw, this is a typical stance of Christian folk. They polarize themselves with the non-Christian (Cold War ... anyone?). I don't think it's a coincidence that you would immediately jump to "abortion," in fact, I predicted you would. I also predicted that your hypothetical would depict a religious person being in favor of banning abortion. Why not the other way around? Why not have the religious character granting the right to have abortions? Religious (specifically Christians in America) people go after political issues and values in a herd-like manner, and they back it with the "word of God." When you have a group of people that go after a political issue with their Bibles in their hand, then it becomes rather obvious if they're backing their stance with religiosity or independent conviction. These people are regressive and horrifying.

SICKGUY · 09-30-2006, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

If America became a theocracy, who do you think would be allowed to become citizens of America and who wouldn't?

it would become something like the war on drugs. rules that are impossible to enforce, and a ridiculous rise in crime resulting is mega-clogging of courts and prisons.

SICKGUY · 09-30-2006, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

So people cannot pass legislation based on their beliefs if they come from religion ? But they can pass all the moral based legislation if they are atheists

generally an athiest is going to have an agenda based on common sense. "is this good or bad for the general population?" sort of thing. it seems that christians only think in terms of "would god approve?" as much as it seems like it sometimes, this country has no official religion.

SICKGUY · 09-30-2006, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

I agree....

If I was told I had to raise my children as the religion of the majority as law, and that I could be sent to a "re-education" I would move. There is just no way I want to live under that.

shit, i have very strong reservations about my children being exposed to religion. i teach them common sense, morals and manners, but dont want religion anywhere near them.