Scrappy
quote:
Isn't "theism" different from "religion", though? Isn't the problem with governments and theocracy more about the adherence to a religion rather than belief in God/gods?
My Thorndike Barnhart defines theism as:
1 belief in one God, the creator and ruler of the universe.
2 belief in a deity or deities; religious faith or conviction. {< Greek
theosgod}
I would say that any theistic religion is a manifestation of theism. The simplest way to define the word religion is to look at its etymology < Latin re + ligion = tie again, or tie back; which suggests preservation, or conservation. That in itself does not require a theistic philosophy. Theism assumes an Overlord, usually invisible, all powerful, and all wise. Almost invariably (I can't think of a single instance to the contrary), it leads to the appearance of His envoy, prophet, vicar, ambassador, angel, avatar etc. whatever; His representative "on earth."
The man in shining armor who stands before you with drawn sword is his judge. Will you serve the God of heaven and his appointed Lord, annointed king, duly elected representative, tax collector, ... Huh? Will ya?
This is a time honored and highly, if temporarily, successful means of establishing the kingdom of whichever god seeks to rule the world of the moment. On a personal level, in a face to face encounter with his avatar, you're damned right I believe in him! Whatever you say
Sir. This is worship of the True God. Everything else is just farting around.
quote:
Is it your position that Theism inevitably leads to religion/Theocracy?
If it is profitable, or imagined to be in the interest of national security, ... Absolutely! Christians pray for the return of their King, whom they expect to govern this planet with a Rod of Iron. That prayer is not metaphorical. History teaches us to fear the king who knows God. You wicked (secular materialists) will be "worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah." {to quote Jesus}
Does this answer your question?
db
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Are you a Sunday School graduate?