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Old July 13th, 2005, 04:01 AM   #174
smsmith40
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Default Re: Theology Discussion?

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Ah, but our governments are based off of the ideals of accoutability and the corruption of man, both Judeo-Christian ideals. Therefore too much power is never given into the corruptable hands of one person (or a set of persons). I can't speak for Russia, but Germany was in the midst of a philosophical movement that took God out of the equation and they reaped the results.
Watch out neo-con about(j/k). Democracy as a judeo-christian ideal. Not much evidence of that about. I can't think of a single example where the church was a driving force for democracy through history until the democratic ideal has become widely accepted in the late 20th century.

The church has been around for 2000 years, democracy is an idea that has only taken root in the last 100. Religion and the church dominated society for a 1300 years without a single step being taken towards democracy. The founding fathers and other heroes of democracy may have been religious people, they may have quoted God in their defence in the Declaration of Independence, the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Arbroath (look it up, its inspiring) but they were not acting with the approval of the established church.

Democracy has been established because of popular dissent against the ruling elite. The ruling elite has always contained the church.

The church is fundamnetally an undemocratic organisation. The guy at the top decides what the rules are and everybody else either buys in or ships out.

You know the Church of England and the Anglican church worldwide are having serious problems deciding whether to accept gay clergy and women bishops. I've never once heard anybody suggesting that they should have a vote to see what the membership actually wants.

100 odd cardinals decided the leader of 2 billion catholics, who appointed the cardinals. Oh yes! The old leader. Who did they choose? Only the head of the Inquisition.

ps National Socialism was born in Bavaria, which was a devoutly catholic part of the world in the 1920s. Parts of Germany was becoming more secular, there was an emerging communist movement.

In no way ami I suggesting that facist movements were either encouraged, supported or connected to the Church.

But Facism developed in Italy, Spain and southern Germany, the three most religious societies in 20th century Europe. Facism's twin brother Communism developed in another highly religious society.

Last edited by smsmith40; July 13th, 2005 at 04:05 AM.
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