Why theocracy is important

People and groups within a theocracy will work toward the same goal and be unified in the same belief. If a situation arises within a certain part of the nation, no political or social leader can make a decision without conferring with the supreme religious figure. They can also draw off previous decisions made by a ruling religious figure or group. Society is regulated in this way as well. Theocratic governments usually inspire people to function at their best. In other words, a theocratic society takes the religious environment that is found within a place of worship and uses it at a social level.

People who live in a theocracy are quick to adhere to the law. They are quick to follow the directives sent from above. Are they perfect with this behavior? Not everybody will comply. However, the vast majority of people will. This might seem extreme to people that do not reside inside of a theocracy. However, most of the people who live in this type of government do think in this way.

Also, many people within a theocracy will not go against the grain. They have been socialized to believe that their deity will not allow them to conduct themselves separately from their directives. Keep in mind that theocratic citizens have grown up believing their way of life is the best way to exist.

They believe that being holy and serving God is the only true way for them to exist. This helps to keep them committed to their deity, government, culture, and way of life. People who reside in a theocracy can relatively quickly change social conditions that arise. For example, if people within a theocracy are suffering from homelessness; a theocratic government can quickly implement legislation that will help to change this condition.

This is important for people to understand. Theocratic societies do not have many conflicting social parties or political groups. However, these differences are generally not so extreme that they interfere with the overall operation and function of society.

People within a theocracy are generally more unified in thought and action. While they might not always agree on everything there is an overall harmony within a theocracy that allows them to get things accomplished within a short amount of time.

Focusing on getting things done is an extremely important aspect of a theocracy. Most nations have conflicting political parties that spend too much time debating issues and situations.

In the meantime, people are not getting aid or certain necessary laws are not being implemented. Theocracies seem to foster more teamwork among rulers and ruling groups. This is possible because the people generally believe that their cooperative efforts are in support of their deity and society. They would rather receive an eternal reward or social accolades or praise for being cooperative and getting things accomplished.

Related: Pros and Cons of the Articles of Confederation. People within a theocracy are generally cared for by their government. While they do go to work and do have to participate in society; the general population is cared for by the government.

Welfare and social support are not like in support systems in the west. Theocratic societies tend to provide support to people in need. It might not be the best support, or they might not provide the best services, but they do help their fellow citizens out.

Many religions believe in charity and giving aid. They believe in helping out their fellow brothers and sisters who are a part of their religion. Many theocratic societies take this aspect of their religion to heart.

They know how important it is to help people in need and to keep people from starving. One of the best advantages of a theocratic government is its ability to quickly find allies. If two independent nations have the same belief system, they can generally work together as allies. This is important within the world of politics.

Theocratic nations that align themselves generally do so behind their deity. They might not serve their deity in the same exact way, but if they agree on major points they can be allies. This will help to give a theocratic nation an advantage on the world scene within the realm of politics.

Also, having an ally with the same belief system can help a theocratic nation to receive aid and assistance in times of crisis. They can even work together on joint projects that would benefit their perspective nations.

Crime within a theocratic society is often viewed as a sin and not as a wrong action. In a theocracy, this is the norm. Think about it like this.

A Christian person knows that God commands people not to steal. While many people steal in a society where a Christian lives; that Christian individual will less likely steal anything because they know that it is a sin. This is also true for the crimes of murder, assault, and rape. Again, these types of things do happen within a theocratic society. However, they happen at a lower rate than in a non-theocratic society.

This is because law enforcement officials work together from the higher levels of government to the local community. If a theocratic ruler or ruling group is not doing the best job for their nation, their rule is often left unchallenged. Remember, theocratic rulers tend to be dogmatic and are seen as perfect rulers. If they show some type of incompetence or make bad decisions, most people will not challenge them. To challenge a theocratic ruler or group is often viewed as questioning the deity that they represent.

Since most theocratic citizens want to remain compliant, this is the last thing they want to do. By the way, if a theocratic ruler or ruling group are blatantly doing wrong in their position; there is usually a process that can be put into motion to remove bad rulers out of their position. However, it is not always easy for this process to be started and carried through. Another huge drawback of living within a theocratic society is intolerance.

This is especially true for people who do not share the same religious beliefs as them. Keep in mind that religion is the key component of a theocracy.

Instead of debating ideas, theocracies typically discuss the best ways to implement processes instead. This government structure works to streamline all operations. The Pope is still considered the ruler of the Vatican City, which makes this government a Christian theocracy. Depending on the philosophy which declares why leaders are in power, these policies can be structured in a way that indicates God is the one declaring that a society follow new rules instead of the people who came up with the idea in the first place.

A theocracy operates through a centralized structure. All theocracies offer a streamlined system of governing because everything emanates from a centralized command authority. This hierarchy does not allow for individual leaders to make decisions by themselves because every action is a dictation from the rulers. The actual religion used as the foundation of the government does not matter with this advantage.

Yemen, Vatican City, Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and Mauritania are all notable examples of varying size that show off this centralized structure in ways that benefit the local population. The leader is often viewed as the supreme power, with most including Vatican City operating as a monarchy of some type. It creates higher levels of legislative compliance. When people attend a religious service of any type, their manners tend to be turned up to There is a desire to follow all of the spiritual laws and expectations including unwritten ones to ensure that their soul can reach its intended destination one day.

From a Christian perspective, one might call that perspective a form of insurance against eternal punishment. Because people feel like there is so much that is on the line, they comply with all laws, decrees, and suggestions from the government even if it seems like an immoral choice on a personal level. This structure is the reason why theocracies have higher levels of societal compliance in legal matters compared to other forms of government. The leader of a theocracy has the authority to declare a person to be eternally damned for non-compliance.

People who want to be faithful work hard to keep their salvation, which is how the leadership in the government can retain power for an extended time.

Theocracies could change the world for the better. What would happen in our world today if governments used their resources to help the needy, provide for a robust education, and ensure that no child was left hungry?

It would be an incredible place to live. The only problem with this government structure is that there is a political interpretation of the holy books which differs from the personal views that people hold. An excellent example of this issue comes from Genesis Although the book of Ezekiel clearly declares that the sin of Sodom is their refusal to help those who were in need, previous generations chose to focus on the concepts of rape that are spoken of in the passage.

Compromise is never needed in the context of a theocracy. There is a certain nobleness to the idea that people can work toward a common good together without interference, but this advantage can only be beneficial if there is an emphasis on goodness with each action. Since humans are fallible, a theocracy will often fail to work because it assigns religious sanctity to the decision-making processes of a privileged few people.

Alternative opinions are rarely welcomed in a theocracy. When someone reads a book, their individual perspectives will guide the interpretation of the material they encounter. We all take a different lesson from page, sometimes going beyond even what the author intended.

This principle still applies when we read holy books. Under the guise of a theocracy, there is no individual interpretation. You must conform, or you choose to risk your eternal salvation. Take a look at the history of the Roman Catholic Church and you will see this disadvantage on full display. That was the reason why Martin Luther decided to take things into his own hands in the first place. Theocracies might preach peace, but they teach discord.

When there a few ruling the many, it becomes virtually impossible to challenge the ideas of a supernatural being that the average person cannot see or hear. You have no room for debate because the decision has already been made. The government is in the business of staying in control, and nothing works better than the idea that God is forcing this idea on you, whether you like it or not.

Minority groups are not tolerated in theocracies. When you are living in a theocracy, then being in the minority on anything is not a position where you want to be. Even if you have a religious basis for your beliefs, the alternative thoughts are rarely tolerated. When the doctrine comes straight from the government and you refuse to follow it, then there is a possibility that your views could be seen as a violation of the law.

Although some people think this disadvantage is sometimes overstated, all you need to do to see it on full display is to walk into a Christian church and say that you believe something else than they do. You will find some people are willing to engage, but the general consensus even if you are also a Christian is that their perspective is correct and yours is not.

Now expand that interaction to a societal level and you can see why a theocracy can be such a dangerous form of governing. Businesses must operate under the guise of the theocratic law. Despite the principles of equality that are taught in this holy literature, women are not allowed to vote at all, nor can then be elected to a high political position. It was only just recently that the laws were relaxed to permit women to drive. From a business perspective, women leaders provide more consistency, innovation, and leadership compared to their male counterparts, yet their ideas are held back in almost every nation that is structured as a theocracy.

John L. Perkins, an economist at the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research even argues that the structure of a theocracy prioritizes scriptural studying over creativity, innovation, or scientific research. You cannot have a unique faith under the structure of a theocracy. Although some theocracies may suggest that you can believe anything you want if you are willing to follow the structure of the law, the foundational scriptural elements of the government would suggest otherwise.

You may be able to co-exist in this society as a different believer, but you might be asked to pay additional taxes, be forbidden to vote, or have other rights restricted that those who follow the faith do not experience. It is through this structure that the government seeks to bring non-believers into compliance. By making life uncomfortable, the goal of the government is to encourage a switch in spiritual belief for political purposes. Those in power want your physical soul because it has economic value to the centralized state.

Theocracies change the fundamental beliefs of a nation.