Theocracy on the way

[Belacqua]

Late 18th century Britain was a theocracy?

Perhaps theocracy is too strong of a word.
From what I was taught in school, the ruling power in Britain was blessed by the church and this confirmed that the ruler had been chosen by god. The ruling party would then also select the next ruler of Britain. The people had no say in the matter.

I was imagining that a theocracy was a system in which the priests had direct rule, or the laws of the Bible were used as law in the courts. 

But you're certainly right that the King of England claimed divine sanction, and the Church of England was mixed up in his power.

[Rahn127]

Perhaps theocracy is too strong of a word.
From what I was taught in school, the ruling power in Britain was blessed by the church and this confirmed that the ruler had been chosen by god. The ruling party would then also select the next ruler of Britain. The people had no say in the matter.

I was imagining that a theocracy was a system in which the priests had direct rule, or the laws of the Bible were used as law in the courts. 

But you're certainly right that the King of England claimed divine sanction, and the Church of England was mixed up in his power.

And even if that ruler wasn't a priest, he most definitely wasn't an atheist. The head of the church would also often remind that particular ruler when laws didn't align with holy scripture or the priests interpretation of it.

There is a fine line that both of them walked. They needed each to comply with their own plans for power. The priests had the people and the ruler had an army.

[Belacqua]

And even if that ruler wasn't a priest, he most definitely wasn't an atheist. The head of the church would also often remind that particular ruler when laws didn't align with holy scripture or the priests interpretation of it.

There is a fine line that both of them walked. They needed each to comply with their own plans for power. The priests had the people and the ruler had an army.

I guess things changed over time in England. Henry VIII obviously changed things. 

In the late 1700s there was a lot of diversity of thought in England. Certain social classes had a lot of sympathy for the American Revolution and later the French Revolution. Skilled tradesmen, who were often intelligent and educated but lacked political power, paid close attention to how other people got rid of their kings. George III cracked down hard with censorship laws, etc. 

This was all political, as religious expression was quite free. For example, Jacob Boehme's works were all translated into English and were widely and freely available even when they were still banned in German-speaking countries. Boehme is certainly not someone with the C of E's stamp of approval. 

Thomas Paine (an atheist) and William Blake (an extreme antinomian Christian) were friends in the circle around Joseph Johnson's progressive bookstore. Paine had to flee for his political writings, and Blake was briefly tried for allegedly saying "Damn the king" while kicking a drunken soldier out of his garden. Johnson, who seems not to have been religious, was jailed for publishing politically subversive material. But none of them was ever in trouble for his religious beliefs, or lack thereof.

[Abaddon_ire]

No, despite the desperate attempts by evangelicals and the Republican party, I don't see it gappenibg soon, either.

However, my question applied to you saying such a thing would be "wonderful".

A question you haven't answered

Well I think it would be wonderful. I know not everyone would think that.

Would a theocracy with Jim Jones in charge be wonderful? Would you be first in the queue to drink the flavoraid?

[The Grand Nudger]

With a movement toward theocracy now openly visible

Why do you think there's a new movement toward theocracy?

Might have something to do with the rise of christian dominionism in the federal courts and both chambers of congress.

[Ahriman]

Why do you think there's a new movement toward theocracy?

Might have something to do with the rise of christian dominionism in the federal courts and both chambers of congress.

A trend that should continue.

[The Grand Nudger]

[zebo-the-fat]

Might have something to do with the rise of christian dominionism in the federal courts and both chambers of congress.

A trend that should continue.

Why?

[Ahriman]

A trend that should continue.

Why?

So then we can have a sweet ass theocracy instead of the bullshit we have now?

[zebo-the-fat]

Why?

So then we can have a sweet ass theocracy instead of the bullshit we have now?

What would be wonderful about having a bunch of god botherers in charge, and how would they treat atheists and other rational thinkers?