Democracy is Unbiblical

[StuartJ]

In the biblical folklore, some of the millions of folks in the mixed multitude wandering in the wilderness objected to the dictatorship of Moses and his sidekick Aaron:

They gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and Yahweh is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of Yahweh?

The probably fictional Moses and the sidekick he would later defrock, were none too pleased.

But the definitely fictional Yahweh had it sorted:

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
And there came out a fire from Yahweh, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

So, there we have it ... Yahweh wants HIS chosen dictator to be running the show in HIS name ...

And he'll have the earth swallow those with notions of democracy.

(I can't see how you can possibly read philosophy, or poetry, or love into this nasty little tale either, BTW. It looks like more human politics to me.)

And for centuries, Christian popes were sure that THEY should be ruling the world in Jesus' mighty name ... but only until he comes back with more fire and hail mixed with blood.

So, should we set Pope Francis, or Benny Hinn, or Pat Robertson (a woman would NEVER do) or some other senior white male over us as Theocrat ... as the "Word of God" quite clearly intends ...?

[JehovahsWitness]

Here is the Jehovah's Witnesses view on this topic. All statements herein are faith based expressions of my personal opinion as a member of this faith



IS DEMOCRACY "UNBIBLICAL"?


ANSWER : Democracy is not mentioned directly in the bible. If by "unbiblical" one means "wrong/sinful/condemned by God", that would depend on the times and the circumstances. The biblical system set up by God of the Israelites was not democratic but theocratic* in structure and any moves to make it so would have been in direct opposition to the nation's written "constitution". The bible implies that ALL present world governmental systems, whether democratic or not, are being temporarily tolerated by God and are soon to be destroyed (compare Dan 2:44)


WOULD THE BIBLICAL THEOCRATIC SYSTEM BE BETTER DESCRIBED AS A DICTATORSHIP?

ANSWER : "Dictatorship" has been described as rule by an absolute power. While the word is heavily negative in connotation, this is because humans given absolute power inevitaby abuse that power, thus human history has rendered the word dictator synonymous with "tyrant". But God is not a human.

ISAIAH 33:22
For Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah, our lawgiver, Jehovah, our king. - Darby Bible Translation

In the bible God is presented as being absolute in power and retains his right to establish ultimate rules as to what behaviour will or will not be tolerated. He therefor would determjne the rules by which executive, legislative and judicial authority is exercised. However His exercise if power is never arbitrary, selfish or harmful for his subjects. He listens to and will sometimes adjust his decisions in relation to the desires if the people and acts within an identifiable "code of conduct" (This is important as a dictator is sometimes described as "a ruler not restricted by a constitution or laws " which is not the case for YHWH). The Israelites as a nation freely agreed to the laws by which they would be governed and retained their freedom to leave at any time.

In short, while human dictators have been overwhelming evil the most basic definition of the word itself seems to be neutral. The biblical system could therefore be described as dictatorial but not tyrannical or oppressive. Such a thing has proven impossible for humans but is and has been demonstratably possible for Almighty God

JW


[*] The word "theo" is Greek for god and "cratic" means rule, so "theocratc" basically means rule by God. None of the Papal rulerships were expression of true theocratic rule as promised by Christ.



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[StuartJ]

[Replying to post 2 by JehovahsWitness]

Another superbly succinct and direct answer to the topic.

Bring on the fire and hail mixed with blood, Jesus ...!!!

But in the meantime, maybe Benny Hinn would make the title "Pentecostal Theocrat" an object of universal veneration ...?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 2 by JehovahsWitness]

Another superbly succinct and direct answer to the topic.

Thank you kindly, I do my best.

If you have any questions feel free to ask. Otherwise please have a most excellent weekend.



JW

[BeHereNow]

[Replying to post 1 by StuartJ]

I believe a better argument would be "Governments of man are unbiblical."

There is nothing unique in Democracy not being advocated in the Bible. There is nothing unique in no type of government being advocated in any religion.

Religion gives believers the tools to live contentedly under any type of government rule. No need to point out that many believers do not use that tool. Humans are in the habit of failing to use tools to live contentedly, atheists certainly.

It is a Philosophy of living that causes some to be content, even joyously, where others suffer.
Commonly this Philosophy has religious roots. There are other paths, but they to be less traveled.

Those who look to the government of man to provide their innermost needs, are destined for failure.

[marco]

(I can't see how you can possibly read philosophy, or poetry, or love into this nasty little tale either, BTW. It looks like more human politics to me.)

You are not looking hard enough for poetry, Stuart. In this beautiful passage that conveys the love and mercy of Jehovah:

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods

we have wonderful personification of the earth. She gently opened up "her mouth" and mercifully swallowed those with a question.


The trick in interpreting Jehovah is to read love where you see hate; mercy where you see violence and kindness where you see cruelty. That keeps everyone right. Of course if there are further problems, you can revisit the meaning of ordinary words and re-define them to suit Biblical tastes. When all else fails quote a Hebrew word with an obscure meaning and ask the reader for an interpretation.

[marco]

IS DEMOCRACY "UNBIBLICAL"

The story from Numbers gives an example where people who questioned harsh leadership were destroyed. This would suggest that democratic fairness is opposed in the Bible. Though you ask a question, you do not answer the question. Instead you manoeuvre things to fit what you want them to be. There is an art in this.
On dictators: Cincinnatus was according to Livy a dictator from the plough and he performed his duties in an exemplary way, then humbly returned to his farm. So it is not necessary for someone who holds supreme power to demonstrate the cruel, autocratic behaviour of Numbers.

But God is not a human.

Let me disagree: He is very much human, but he is not humane. He has all the faults a human could wish not to have; and he has hands and feet and even hindquarters. So to speak! His inventors created God in their own image.

[marco]

[Replying to post 1 by StuartJ]

I believe a better argument would be "Governments of man are unbiblical."

And we must be thankful for that. When Cromwell was on his regicidal rampage he allowed a Parliament of Saints, led by the splendidly named: PraiseGod Barebone. Even though the holiest intentions were there, it didn't work.

Religion, taken too seriously, is a force for destruction. When we add a touch of humour and smile at religion's absurdities (if we are allowed to!), we get on with our lives. God doesn't interfere either way. His bad behaviour is entirely biblical though in some theocracies today man imitates him very well by stoning poor girls or killing heretics.

[JehovahsWitness]

IS DEMOCRACY "UNBIBLICAL"

Though you ask a question, you do not answer the question.

I would respectfully draw your attention to the following ....

ANSWER : Democracy is not mentioned directly in the bible. If by "unbiblical" one means "wrong/sinful/condemned by God", that would depend on the times and the circumstances.

The biblical system set up by God of the Israelites was not democratic but theocratic* in structure and any moves to make it so would have been in direct opposition to the nation's written "constitution".

I suppose I could have been more precise had the OP been more specific as to what exactly he meant by "unbiblical".




JW

[JehovahsWitness]

The story from Numbers gives an example where people who questioned harsh leadership were destroyed.

Well that would depend on how one interprets the events presented in the account. I happen to disagree with your interpretation and subsequently with your conclusion regarding the events in numbers. That said the point that ..

It is not necessary for someone who holds supreme power to demonstrate cruel, autocratic behaviour.

Is entirely what I was trying (perhaps unsuccessfully) to communicate regarding the exercise of ab salute power.




JW