religion/culture/politics

[Violet]

The majority of people are Christian. You need to show Christian values to be elected.

Isn't this an example of representative government?

It is a perfect example of why representative government alone doesn't work

[Rhizomorph13]

Well it does work for the majority. That is why I think Atheists should proselytize. Religion isn't going to just poof in a cloud of logic now is it? Ok, so maybe it will, but more likely it will be replaced with something weirder that sounds science-y. Like, maybe something about a galactic overlord who solved an overpopulation problem by launching spaceships strapped with nukes and filled with people into volcanos. We could call him Xenu and instead of souls we would have thetans. Hmm, no probably too cra... wait what? really? no wai!

Rhizo

[Meatball]

The majority of people are Christian. You need to show Christian values to be elected.

Isn't this an example of representative government?

It is a perfect example of why representative government alone doesn't work

So a good representative government would instead represent a minority?

[Violet]

Science-y like in scientology? ^_^

And no, it really does not work for the majority... because people who are otherwise unqualified for the job are able to take it just because many people agree with their views. Also, the majority thinks it works for them... and rarely reconsiders this

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The majority of people are Christian. You need to show Christian values to be elected.

Isn't this an example of representative government?

It is a perfect example of why representative government alone doesn't work

So a good representative government would instead represent a minority?

Oh no... the representative government is by definition supposed to 'represent' the majority...

It is the system that doesn't work here (see above response to Rhizo)

[Meatball]

If it's job qualifications we're concerned with, why not just let the Head of State appoint lawmakers instead of rolling the dice with democracy?

[Violet]

Why indeed: the heads of state could be just as stupid as the majority Why roll the dice of all of these different who-is-in-control-governments... when a meritocracy defines everything based upon ability?

Democracy: people in control

Republic: council in control

Monarchy: king in control

Meritocracy: ability in control. I can't tell you how much happier I would be... to be flown in a plane with a 100% chance of an ace pilot... rather than to be flown in a plane with no idea how skilled the pilot is (edit: esp. if my pilot was voted in because of how he looks, and what he believes... esp. if that was in life after death )

[fr0d0]

Yes DLF. We know how politics works. If the influential among your peers want something then it's done. Depending on what the people want when they put these clowns in office. As has been said to you before - this is the same the world over - politicians are politicians.

And politicians promote what will make them look good and keep them in office. Only very occasionally is anything done with pure intent.

The point is, religion has no place in power. The moral zeitgeist of a society has to be reflected or at least look like it's reflected roughly in it's government, or that govt will fail and be replaced.

[Rhizomorph13]

Meritocracy: ability in control. I can't tell you how much happier I would be... to be flown in a plane with a 100% chance of an ace pilot... rather than to be flown in a plane with no idea how skilled the pilot is (edit: esp. if my pilot was voted in because of how he looks, and what he believes... esp. if that was in life after death )

Ahhh, but then isn't a meritocracy just control by the test makers? Look back in history when "literacy" tests were used to prevent black people from voting.

How do you measure political ability anyway? SAT scores? I've known plenty of intelligent people who FAIL hard at life due to a lack of connection to the real world. We could use MMPI scores but a smart person could research how to answer to get a high score. WOW duels? yeah that would be awesome!

Rhizo

[dry land fish]

The majority of people are Christian. You need to show Christian values to be elected.

Isn't this an example of representative government?

We are a representative government.

[Meatball]

The majority of people are Christian. You need to show Christian values to be elected.

Isn't this an example of representative government?

We are a representative government.

Uh, I agree?