What if America became a theocracy...

[davidraphael]

Hi,

I'm writing a speculative essay about what America might look like if it became an extreme theocracy.
Does anyone know of any books or articles that look at this issue from a political or cultural point-of-view?

If not, maybe you have your ideas about what might happen...

What laws might there be? And how would they be upheld?
How would science be treated?
What ideas and concepts of freedom would essentially be corrupted?
etc

best

dR

[elliebean]

Read any newspaper from Florida or Mississippi and most any from Texas.

[Ultima22689]

^ Yep, I've been in Florida for about a year now and I think this is what a theocracy is like. I know for a fact if I went out right now and visited walmart and said " I'M AN ATHEIST" as loud as I can a mob would appear and proceed to lynch me. several times a week people will come to my door and argue with me about religion thinking they can convince me of God. Once they realize I don't fear Hell their argument pretty much falls flat and their excuse is that they can't comprehend the scientific mumbo jumbo. All the stuff i've come to understand about reality was mostly known before I was even in middle school. It's beginning to frustrate me badly at how people can deny evolution, something that has been established  for many , many decades. It's like refuting gravity. Things are really backwards around here. I'm going to join the military out of desperation for cash, going to save every single dollar they give me and once i'm done i'm going to take my degree which I will have by the time i'm finished and move to California where I won't have to deal with this BS. Hell I might just head for the UK or the Netherlands where there will only be a few retards opposed to them being the majority. Genuinely thinking people used to ride dinosaurs and stupid shit like that. I went to this museum down here that claims that their exhibits are the truth and it's so damn stupid, it's pretty much a bible museum. When I look at the rest of America I can't help but facepalm. I wish I had gun that shot logic rays that would instantly dispel all that superstitious BS in their heads. It's ironic because by far religious/devout people are incredibly fucked up and justify everything they do as God's work.  I was at a wal mart today and saved this old woman from being hit by a douche in his escalade.  After I saved her she thanked God and told me I should to. I was furious because she couldn't even thank me but she could thank sky daddy for me having the common sense to save her life. If I die and turns out there is a God i'm going to ask why is he such a douche.

[notself]

If America became an official theocracy v the unofficial on it is now, all scientists would be re-educated of shot.  Science would cease to be taught in schools.  Courses in logic and comparative philosophy would be banned.  Birth control in any form would be against the law.  We would look just like Saudi Arabia but with crosses rather than crescents.

[karadan]

Wow Ultima22689, that's harsh. You are welcome to the UK any time you like! It is nice here

I think there's still enough common sense from US christians and atheists alike to stop any sort of official theocracy from ever getting a foothold. For now, at least. I think the internet has helped people entrenched in super religious country reach out and find more moderate people to talk to. It will continue to allow people being raised in strict christian environments to question their faith, sowing the seeds of doubt in their minds. As long as this tool exists, atheism will continue to grow.

I forsee issues in a generation or two when the total amount of atheists, agnostics and free thinkers equals that of christians in the US. A polarisation like that can lead to very dark things.

[SSY]

Hell I might just head for the UK

Don't come here, it's shit, just in a different way. I was thinking of escaping to the States . . .

Also, if the USA became a theocracy, I think it would be like other theocracies, ie, middle eastern countries ruled by clerics and imams. The bible may be portrayed as lovey dovey, but once the god squad get into power, there will be ample justification in it to commit an atrocity they see fit. I somewhat doubt the Christian virtue of tolerance would be esteemed quite so highly when they had the power to get rid of people who disagreed with them.


 Having said that, can you imagine the infighting? Every sect or group would be battling for supremacy, trying to prove their own version of Christianity was right, I imagine it would turn bloody, holy war and all that. Once the most ruthless/heavily armed church had won out, I can envisage a fresh round of holy crusades, they would need to decide who they hated more, Muslims or Atheists.

[karadan]

Hell I might just head for the UK

Don't come here, it's shit, just in a different way. I  

Looks like we have a difference of opinion

I'm not looking forward to that Cameron being our PM though.

[elliebean]

I'm not looking forward to that Cameron being our PM though.

I had to look that one up. No wonder.

But hey, it could be worse. At least it's not going to be Kirk Cameron or James Cameron. Cameron Diaz wouldn't be so bad, though.

[karadan]

James Cameron would do a better job than any of the lot currently running for office. At least we'd have bigger green areas and a cash-rich film industry!

[hvargas]

If you understand politicians in their hipocracies you will find that they love to use the name GOD. This is a part of their agenda to get to the emotions of the general public, after the speach they allways say something like " may God bless America " .This continent is name AMERICA. The experiment will be a claimed as to, this is democracy at work and the people voted for prayers in the schools of florida. That will not make or lead to a state of theocracy cause others will fight it as they are fighting gay's rights and other issues. By the way the church has accepted evolution on its own turn. The bottom line is you just got to teach your child your version.

[pinkocommie]

'The church' has accepted evolution, huh?  Which of the thousands of churches out there are you referring to?  What does 'on it's own turn' mean?  Either they accept evolution or they warp evolution into something entirely different to fit their own purposes, which is as worthless as being a creationist in my opinion.

[SSY]

Hell I might just head for the UK

Don't come here, it's shit, just in a different way. I  

Looks like we have a difference of opinion

I'm not looking forward to that Cameron being our PM though.

Noooooooo, I can't believe you're some rich taxing, industry hating, pinko commie ruskie! I thought we understood each other? Cameron is the only, repeat only hope this country has of not falling into an infinite well of shitness after the election. Maybe for another thread though. . .

[karadan]

Noooooooo, I can't believe you're some rich taxing, industry hating, pinko commie ruskie! I thought we understood each other? Cameron is the only, repeat only hope this country has of not falling into an infinite well of shitness after the election. Maybe for another thread though. . .

Haha, no, i just dislike people who went to Eton.

[Guest]

Hi,

I'm writing a speculative essay about what America might look like if it became an extreme theocracy.
Does anyone know of any books or articles that look at this issue from a political or cultural point-of-view?

Handmaid's Tale by a Canadian author Margaret Atwood. It is a dystopian novel surrounding the idea that The States have been split and the other half adopted a form of theocracy.
"Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian and theocratic state that has replaced the United States of America. Because of dangerously low reproduction rates, Handmaids are assigned to bear children for elite couples that have trouble conceiving. Offred serves the Commander and his wife, Serena Joy, a former gospel singer and advocate for “traditional values.”" http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/handmaid/
It was a good read, one of the best dystopian novels I have read.