A Christian State.

I was wondering the other day what would a country turn out like if it became a xian fundementalist state. That is to say that the government would abide by the religious laws and strictures of the bible. Here I include YEC ideology.An extreme example of this can be seen in"The Taliban ("Students of Islamic Knowledge Movement") (who) ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001. They came to power during Afghanistan's long civil war. Although they managed to hold 90% of the country's territory, their policies”including their treatment of women and support of terrorists”ostracized them from the world community. The Taliban was ousted from power in December 2001 by the U.S. military and Afghani opposition forces."Taliban, Afghanistan's ruling factionWhat would the impact be on education, health, the economy and personal freedom be if a xian fundemenatlist party gained a similar level of control over the state apperatus?As someone vehemently against religion having any role in politics I feel this would have a universally detrimental effect on the country's developement and would cause it to potentially lag behind other more secular countries.But would that actually be the case? I would like to hear from both pro and con. Not totaly sure where to put this, Coffe House?

A cluster fuck eh?I was kind of thinking fundementalist xian society, somewhat like a state that uses the literal interpretation of the bible for direction of how to run a society.Would there not be any redeeming features of a truly xian fundementalist state?

Thats pretty much the way I see it. What do you think would happen to the country's economy and standard of living?

What about witch hunts and the awfull awfull use of torture on people accused of witch craft? From memory thousands of people were killed in terrible ways in the name of putting it to satan.The Mayflower brought death and disease to the native population of America and the Conquistidors effectivly destroyed entire cultures.Is this what we would have to look forward to? This message has been edited by AdminPD, 04-14-2006 06:38 AM

Don't forget that your Mr Bush jnr would not allow atheist (and I suspect non-xians) to be citizens in the US.

Pure genius! I never knew how unpleasent the bible really was!A fundementalist xian state following these rules would be awful.Who is Dr Laura? She sounds like a barrel of fun.

Thanks Schraf, I will look it up. I got the idea thread by reading Rise of Endymion. It has a church state, less brutal in some ways but still oppressive and cruel.

I think history tells us about what religious laws would be like: supression of science for a start. It's already happening with the 'debate' over creationism. Medical technology, history cultural diversity would all be supressed.When ever you have a law that cannot be changed (it is so written) it will eventually lead to no good. If the laws that allowed slavery where not changed (and the christian church allowed slavery - it says to the effect that you can keep slaves as long as they are from another nation (I think that is in Leviticus somewhere)) we would still have slavery.The fundemental flaw with religious laws is that they are 'right' and every other type of law that conflicts with it is 'wrong'.If a country startd to view it's own laws as pertaining to everyone then wars and invasions follow. Look to the Crusades for a physical war, look to christian missionaries for a psychological war.Christian laws in the model of Paul would be pretty punitive. Jesus (as I recall) was not into laws that much. I don't think you could have a 'Jesus Model' of Laws, NWR got it right I think. Funfies would use a 'Paul Model' (pretty agressive).

You would have to go through the bible and pick out the types of things Jesus pontificated about and define them as Laws.For example, I'm led to believe Jesus said that we must do unto others as we would be done unto; this may mean that if we murder, we would be executed.But he also is said to have said that we should turn the other cheek. It would become a crime to act in self defence.Apparently it is easier to push a camel through a needle eye than get to xian heaven if you are rich. This could indicate that you may not have a xian burial if you have x amount of money when you die.Can you see where I'm going with this? Any theocratic legal system is at best a utopian pipe dream and at worst (as you point out) prey to fundies and other right wing extremistist.Thank god I live in the UK where fundies are not given tv stations.

Deleted due to rubbish content.This message has been edited by Larni, 05-12-2006 10:02 AM

LOL Not in my house!To be fair (and not to stray off topic) while I would not watch it (except to poke fun) or let my kids watch it, freedom of expression accomodates it in the UK and I would have to (with gritted teath) support it's inclusion.Good parting shot for the weekend Iano

Woops!Getting tired.Went on an anti communism rant. Re read your post and fully get what you are saying within the context of the discussion.Think I will go and have a lay down.