By Janet Marugg | FāVS News Columnist
When theocracies fail (and they always do) the god in charge fails. Historically, we’ve gone through a slew of deities who could never quite pull things off. Things get built, things break and gods revealed to be impotent are replaced by things learned and discovered.
The suffering of citizens exposes the weak and false god in charge. The “Kingdoms of Gods” are where people suffer the most. Theocracies are the worst places to live, and where we find castes, subjugations and dark ages. They are not for people who love freedom, justice and enlightenment.
The theocratic signaling I see from my government these days is not only a breach of the constitutional contract I hold as a citizen, but a sign of impending doom for the god in charge.
A government indistinguishable from church
I am forced to watch my government put a certain god in charge. I am forced to watch my government perform the god’s religious spectacle with public prayer and babbling. I notice the shine of gold idolatry on necks and lapels, the addition of the god-in-charge departmental offices and task forces. This god in charge is now responsible for suffering citizens — citizens experiencing poverty, illness, ignorance, crime, etc. It’s not going well.
We used to be able to blame societal ills on mere mortals and their bureaucracies, but somehow people got lazy and put a god in charge; somebody “Judassed” their god for political power, and now our government is going to have to deliver the deep and abiding peace, the justice, the safety we expect from a god — which, as a humanist, I am all for — but all I see is a failing god.
If I lived in a Hindu or Muslim theocracy, I’d say the same. Anywhere a government is indistinguishable from a religious institution, it’s the same. Sandra Day O’Connor said this: “Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must therefore answer a difficult question: Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?”
But here we are, and now every time I see people suffering in my community (every second of every day), I am forced to see the negligence of the god in charge. Theocracy is the fastest way to fail a god. The strategy is devastating.
In the face of endemic human suffering, the best and only way to save a god is to keep them away from political power — but I think a smart god would know that, and I’m here wondering if a stupid god is worthy of worship?
The fastest way to kill a god
Another sign of the times comes from the prophet, George Orwell, “A totalitarian state is in effect a theocracy, and its ruling caste, in order to keep its position has to be thought of as infallible. But since, in practice, no one is infallible, it is frequently necessary to rearrange past events in order to show that this or that mistake was not made, or that this or that imaginary triumph actually happened.”
The god replacement has already happened. Today’s god-in-charge is unfamiliar with its biography, Jesus replaced with something unrecognizable, the Bible replaced by something called Project 2025, all of it worthy of rejection for moral reasons.
Yesterday’s god flipped tables on greed; today’s god-in-charge demonstrates it. Today’s god decks its offices in gold-leafed opulence. Today’s god-in-charge does not care to heal the sick, feed the hungry, welcome strangers or reform the wayward with kindness.
There is one thing a good god brings, and that is peace. Today’s god-in-charge has a Department of War. Today’s god-in-charge breaks his own commandments. He bears false witness, kills with impunity and steals with both pen and sword. I could go on and on, but that is the point.
Like retired gods of the past, today’s god-in-charge does not work for healthy hearts and minds, and the necessary rejection begins. Our human instinct is to survive bad gods.
Alas, I am open to surprises. If a good god is in charge, let me see the paradise, the prosperity and peace that an All-Powerful Being brings. Let’s get on with ending human suffering already. Let me see it. Surprise me, please!
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. FāVS News values diverse perspectives and thoughtful analysis on matters of faith and spirituality.
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This is your best one Janet. You constantly out do yourself. I meant to give you five stars but my fingers are really clumsy!
Thank you, Nick. I didn’t know there was a star rating (I see it now that you mention it — lol.) I’ll start using it, too!
Wow! This is so well written. I want to share it with my MAGA-Christian-Fascist sister, but it would be wasted. Sad that only those who possess critical thinking skills can appreciate your so well articulated argument for what true followers of Christ believe.
I was on an emailless vacation, so missed this, Janet…..I agree with Nick that you do a brilliant job of dethroning theocracies and their gods….Jesus would have love you column, methinks.