Theocratic countries of the world

[wautd]

Simple question. I'm looking for a list with every theocratic country of the world and what type of religion they have

[spikenigma]

not a list per-se but a list of majority religious representation in each country

http://www.adherents.com/adh_predom.html

A lot of the muslim countries listed in their section have theocratic governments (though some like turkey are secular). The site also makes good arguments as to the definition of a theocracy

i.e. In the UK the head of state (the queen) is also the head of the Church of England. yet we are a secular country. We swear on the bible in court as you (I'm assuming the US) do.

anyway, you might find it useful...

[NecronLord]

i.e. In the UK the head of state (the queen) is also the head of the Church of England. yet we are a secular country.

We have no division between church and state, CoE bishops in the Houses of Parliment, and an 'established religion.' While there are laws against descrimination, don't kid yourself into thinking this is a secular country.

[Gil Hamilton]

We have no division between church and state, CoE bishops in the Houses of Parliment, and an 'established religion.' While there are laws against descrimination, don't kid yourself into thinking this is a secular country.

But, on the other hand, it's the Church of England, which isn't exactly known for it's hardcore religious fervor.

[spikenigma]

We have no division between church and state, CoE bishops in the Houses of Parliment, and an 'established religion.' While there are laws against descrimination, don't kid yourself into thinking this is a secular country.

true

but, they way I see it is, if our laws start being based on religious tenets and "the bible says so...." starts getting used to justify certain laws getting passed, we are no longer secular - even informally among citizens

[Hillary]

We have no division between church and state, CoE bishops in the Houses of Parliment, and an 'established religion.' While there are laws against descrimination, don't kid yourself into thinking this is a secular country.

I would tend to define secular as one in which there is a clear divide between church and state. Apart from a minor representation in the House of Lords, the Church has no actual say in the running of the country. The Church has NO representation in the far more powerful House of Commons, which is purely elected by the people. It also holds no posts within the Government itself and there is no bar to anyone of any or no religion taking any office of power.

[The Guid]

i.e. In the UK the head of state (the queen) is also the head of the Church of England. yet we are a secular country.

We have no division between church and state, CoE bishops in the Houses of Parliment, and an 'established religion.' While there are laws against descrimination, don't kid yourself into thinking this is a secular country.

A lot of the United Kingdom is based on the unwritten. In theory we have a Queen who can reject any law but everyone knows that is not true. The same is true of the idea of an established religion of the state - its not there in reality.

[NecronLord]

A lot of the United Kingdom is based on the unwritten. In theory we have a Queen who can reject any law but everyone knows that is not true. The same is true of the idea of an established religion of the state - its not there in reality.

CoE bishops vote on our laws. That there is an established religion, fool.

[NecronLord]

I would tend to define secular as one in which there is a clear divide between church and state. Apart from a minor representation in the House of Lords, the Church has no actual say in the running of the country. The Church has NO representation in the far more powerful House of Commons, which is purely elected by the people. It also holds no posts within the Government itself and there is no bar to anyone of any or no religion taking any office of power.

"It's neeeaaaarrrrrlllllyyyyyyy secular. Waah"

Nearly doesn't cut it. It's a binary value, and the value in the case of the UK is 0.

[Hillary]

A lot of the United Kingdom is based on the unwritten. In theory we have a Queen who can reject any law but everyone knows that is not true. The same is true of the idea of an established religion of the state - its not there in reality.

CoE bishops vote on our laws. That there is an established religion, fool.

Only in the Lords and even then there are 25 bishops out of 723 members - hardly a major influence.

I would also like to know what other undue influence the CoE has on the state. The Queen has no power whatsoever, the Commons is 100% voted for by the public and the Lords has 3.5% of voting bishops.

[Crossroads Inc.]

Simple question. I'm looking for a list with every theocratic country of the world and what type of religion they have

Don't forget to add the U.S. to the list

[Hillary]

I would tend to define secular as one in which there is a clear divide between church and state. Apart from a minor representation in the House of Lords, the Church has no actual say in the running of the country. The Church has NO representation in the far more powerful House of Commons, which is purely elected by the people. It also holds no posts within the Government itself and there is no bar to anyone of any or no religion taking any office of power.

"It's neeeaaaarrrrrlllllyyyyyyy secular. Waah"

Nearly doesn't cut it. It's a binary value, and the value in the case of the UK is 0.

OK, what is the UK then - it certainly isn't a theocracy, which was the point of the OP

[Admiral Valdemar]

The UK is the most secular nation on Earth given the public opinion from numerous polls in the past and the simple fact that Christianity has been faltering in Europe and gaining in the Americas. There may indeed be men of the cloth voting in Parliament, to which I respond with "so what?". The PM himself is Christian, verging on the likes of Bush in some respects, yet I seem to recall all the news of raving Creationists tearing down science, anti-abortion terrorists hitting clinics and general bigotry coming from that bastion of freedom and tolerance, the good ol' US of A.

If the United States is an example of a secular nation, thank God we're not.

[NecronLord]

I would also like to know what other undue influence the CoE has on the state. The Queen has no power whatsoever, the Commons is 100% voted for by the public and the Lords has 3.5% of voting bishops.

Let me rephrase your post.

While the Queen has no real power in her role, 3.5% of the upper house of parliament is controlled by the Church of England. This is 3.5% more than every other religion's representatives have. Therefore, the Church of England has infinitely more ensconsed political power than all other religions put together. This is undue influence.

3.5% is 3.5% too much to claim to be a secular state.

EDIT: Let's get this straight.

The UK is not a theocracy, as its laws are not religion based. It is also not a Secular state.

[Eleas]

The UK is the most secular nation on Earth given the public opinion from numerous polls in the past and the simple fact that Christianity has been faltering in Europe and gaining in the Americas.

I'd say Sweden is as secular or more. Sure, we have one religious party amongst the bunch, but they're dragging themselves out of the mire by actually being humanists.

If our PM decided to emulate the antics or rhetoric of Bush in his religious extacies, he'd be given his notice the next fucking day.

[wautd]

Ok, with "theocratic countries" lets just take the biggest examples for now (like Iran and Afghanistan during the Taliban). Any more countries falling under this category?

[Siege]

Pretty much all of the Middle East to some extent I think... Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria all have religious police (I think) and are pretty zealous.

[Vendetta]

I'd say Sweden is as secular or more. Sure, we have one religious party amongst the bunch, but they're dragging themselves out of the mire by actually being humanists.

Britain has the most secular society in Europe. Despite technically having a state religion, we have the lowest regular church attendence in Europe. Most people only set foot in a church for weddings and funerals.

[Surlethe]

Does Israel count as a theocracy? Its basic claim to existence is Biblical.

[Luzifer's right hand]

Britain has the most secular society in Europe. Despite technically having a state religion, we have the lowest regular church attendence in Europe. Most people only set foot in a church for weddings and funerals.

What has going to church to do with how seculat a country is?
I know many people which go to church because it's tradition, and nothing is as good as talking with people after mass if you enjoy gossiping.

Even I go to the church a few times every year, because it's tradition and my grandparents enjoy it when I visit the mass with them, not because I belive in god.

[Haruko]

Does Israel count as a theocracy? Its basic claim to existence is Biblical.

I guess you can call it a closet theocracy.

[Haruko]

It claims to be a democracy, but its policies often contradict.

[Darth Wong]

The secularism of a government would presumably be dictated by what proportion of its laws serve a religious rather than secular purpose (for example, all anti-prostitution laws are basically religious in nature, serving no recognizable secular purpose).

The secularism of a society would be determined by how religious the general population is.

[Peregrin Toker]

(for example, all anti-prostitution laws are basically religious in nature, serving no recognizable secular purpose)

I will have to disagree with you about that. A lot of sociologists who have experience with prostitutes, as well as a lot of former prostitutes, think it should be illegal without having any religious motivations for doing so.

Fact is, most prostitutes live very poor and unhappy lives and feel that the very nature of their profession humiliates and enslaves them and their bodies. The "happy hooker" is generally considered a myth by sociologists. Very few people choose to become prostitutes, most who do have been sexually abused when they were very young. This is certainly the impression I get from reading newspaper articles by ex-prostitutes or sociologists who study prostitution.

[wautd]

(for example, all anti-prostitution laws are basically religious in nature, serving no recognizable secular purpose)

I will have to disagree with you about that. A lot of sociologists who have experience with prostitutes, as well as a lot of former prostitutes, think it should be illegal without having any religious motivations for doing so.

Fact is, most prostitutes live very poor and unhappy lives and feel that the very nature of their profession humiliates and enslaves them and their bodies. The "happy hooker" is generally considered a myth by sociologists. Very few people choose to become prostitutes, most who do have been sexually abused when they were very young. This is certainly the impression I get from reading newspaper articles by ex-prostitutes or sociologists who study prostitution.

there are also a lot who simply do it because its good money. Nothing more, nothing less