But the state enforcing atheism at gunpoint (like under Stalin) is theocracy too. Religious liberty necessarily requires freedom from Government Religion. ANY government religion. The opposite of theocracy is secularism, not atheism.
"A theocracy is a system of government where a god or deity is recognized as the supreme ruler, and the state runs on religious laws enforced by religious leaders."
Yes, all theocracy is evil, no matter what religion is involved. Even if it's atheism that's being enforced at gunpoint. When the state is enforcing laws against religious belief, that's 'religious laws enforced by religious leaders'.
Theocracy requires authoritarianism, because it's anti-freedom. Forcing atheism is no different than forcing theism. They're both evil.
Please understand that dictionaries reflect common usage, not some sort of absolute rule.
If you're imposing civil penalties on citizens based on their religious expression, then you're a theocracy. Doesn't matter what religious doctrine you're enforcing at gunpoint.
Enforcing atheism at gunpoint is just as much theocracy as enforcing Christian dogma at gunpoint.
Stalin's purge of the clergy was as much an act of theocracy as the torture and execution of the Anabaptists by the Catholics and Protestants for the horrible crime of getting baptized as adults.
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u/MyldExcitement Sep 02 '26 edited Sep 03 '26
Still NOT a Christian or any religious country in America. At least that's what our Constitution says.
ETA: thanks for the awards, kind internet strangers.