Christians: If a Christian theocracy was founded, would you move to it?

Think about it: a Christian nation, with the national religion enshrined in its constitution.

Now, I recognize that there are many "flavors" of Christianity. Assume for the purposes of this question that the religion of this nation is exactly how you understand your faith. If you're Catholic, assume a Catholic nation. If you think that it's a relationship rather than a religion, assume that that's what the new nation is all about.

Schools could only teach things in accord with the Bible. Prayer might be mandatory. Obviously, the religion/political body could make other rulings that are in accord with the Bible as you understand it. Members of other faiths, or those who lack faith, would be penalized, possibly to the point of expulsion. It would still be a nation in the world: a member of international groups, it would still have access to trade, and you can assume it has resources that make it valuable on the world market.

Would you want to live in a nation like that? Or would you rather live in a secular country where you're just as free to practice your religion as everybody else, but you can't advance your religious beliefs in the government's practices?

?2013-06-12T10:46:30Z

Favorite Answer

Yes

Daver2013-06-12T19:31:07Z

<<Christians: If a <snip> is all about.>>

So, what's wrong with a Catholic nation?

<<Schools could only teach things in accord with the Bible.>>

NOT true. Catholic schools do, in fact, teach science as well as every other subject. It's just that they also teach religious studies. That's the only difference.

<<Prayer might be mandatory.>>

So?

<<Obviously, the religion <snip> you understand it.>>

Well, yeah. As a Catholic, I don't have a problem with that.

<<Members of other <snip> point of expulsion.>>

Specific examples, please - because I can't think of any myself.

<<It would still <snip> nation like that?>>

A Catholic nation? Yes. After all, I am Catholic.

<<Or would you <snip> the government's practices?>>

Actually, a secular country wouldn't/couldn't be "free" if one wasn't allowed to practice one's religion or advance one's religious agenda in their government's policies.

Sillypants2013-06-12T17:41:58Z

Many will go. Most would be expelled. Then they'd have to rethink some things and secularity would start to creep in.

It's human nature to buck rules. Many would shirk mandatory prayer because it's human to thwart rules, to feel alive. If this nation is not deadly sectarian, just by laws, then by how I know Americans at least, it would just turn into a secular nation all over again. At least the right winger would be correct in saying it's a Christian nation.

But they'd have to lighten up the rules for the growing population of nonbelievers born there.

nikki12342013-06-12T17:43:27Z

Historically, there have been many cultures where religion controlled the lives of the people. Based on their behaviors in both western and eastern civilizations, I would not like to live under a 'state-religion'.
According to historical reference, religion is not the driving force behind the development or birth-and-death of civilizations, but is only an apparition which occurs during the negative and declining side of a civilization's life.

Jessie2013-06-12T17:47:45Z

Um...this notion of living in a "Christian theocracy" sounds as inviting as living in North Korea. Members of other faiths penalized? What??? It sounds like a Nazi regime. I don't care what the founding principle is if you aren't free to believe whatever you want.

Separation of church and state, dude.

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