Another Step Towards Theocracy

I have written dozens of stories in my life. Futuristic, based on real life experiences, and some with social lessons and commentary, among other categories. But I must confess, I never conceived of a story in which a great shift in a society towards a more religious interpretation of laws would be initiated through the election of a twice divorced man who cheated on all three of his wives, claims "for better or worse" famous men are allowed to grab women by their private parts, who more than once commented on how "hot" his daughter was, and is a convicted sex offender.

Life is stranger than fiction, you betcha!

Theocracy, is defined in a number of ways. Some define it as a nation ruled by religious leaders or one in which the leaders claim to be divinely appointed, deriving their power from god. I imagine if pressed for an answer, many Americans would define theocracy as the kind of government Iran has while also expressing their displeasure with such a government.

However, as more and more laws are being passed by (mostly) red state legislatures, and more and more judicial opinions are emanating from right leaning judges, it is now clear that what irks many Americans about Iran's version of theocracy is the religion it adopts, not the form of government itself.

Jefferson is the most quoted founder in reference to the separation of church and state. While the founders, in general, shared a Judeo-Christian ethos, they also made clear their opinion about religious influence within the government in the very First Amendment, via the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses which basically state that the government shall not establish a religion nor restrict the worship of the people in whatever religion they choose.

Yet, as the non-fiction story reference above indicates, we are in the throes of a movement, which featured the seduction of the evangelical community by the orange Jesus to make abortion illegal, resulted in the Dobbs decision (thanks to the 3 Supreme Court Justices placed on the bench during the Trump Administration), and is now in full swing in dozens of red states, despite the actual wishes of the electorate of those very same states. (See Kansas, Ohio, Kentucky, and Montana.) 

It is a movement driven by a vocal minority which has decided that its religious beliefs should rule the day, literally.

Which brings us to the atrocious decision by the Alabama Supreme Court last week, which ruled that embryos which are the key to IVF treatments which allow couples with fertility issues become parents, are children. Not potential children, actual children! As a result, the accidental destruction of some embryos at fertility clinic has been interpreted as murder, as justified by the interpretation of various biblical (not legal) quotes.  

I know, shocking that in 2024, a panel of justices who represent the most respected legal thinkers in the state of Alabama, (assuming that is not a contradiction in terms) would actually equate a batch of cells in a test tube to a person. 

But, you see, that was the goal all along of the anti-abortion crowd, to establish the legal precedent that personhood begins at conception, which then allows the state to control the most personal, intimate situations of its citizens lives, everything from who to love and marry, to birth control and when and how to start a family. You know, the most repressive form of government based on the tenets of one, established national religion. 

Around and around go the bodies of our founders in their graves!

I posted under the title Separation of Church and State twice before, once in 2022, and the other time ten years previously. Here are links to those two posts.

https://wurdsfromtheburbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/one-step-forward-for-american-theocracy.html

https://wurdsfromtheburbs.blogspot.com/2012/02/contraception-controversy.html

What is truly alarming about this movement is that is didn't just appear in the last decade. For those of you who haven't heard of the Seven Mountain Mandate, and I was one of you, there will be plenty of opportunity to research and learn about its philosophy in the coming months, and perhaps years, as the Chief Justice of Alabama, Tom Parker, believes whole heartily in its tenets. 

In a nutshell, it is an ism which traces its origins to Revelations, verse 9, which identifies the seven spheres of influence that must be penetrated by the righteous; family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business and government. Once those areas of influence are dominated by these true believers, the prophesy of Isaiah 2:2 can be fulfilled, bringing about the end times. 

When Trump talks retribution, I thought he only meant punishment for those who disagree with him, I didn't realize he was talking world wide retribution! Of course, I am sure he doesn't believe any of this, but can certainly spot such an easy to manipulate group of people from a mile away.

In addition to Parker, the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson has exhibited leanings in this direction, not to mention some other prominent GOP leaders and influencers. While there are some who believe that Trump himself shares this belief, I know better; he has no moral or religious foundation, but will certainly use those who do to be king or dictator or whatever it is that his damaged psyche needs to feel like a real person.

So, gird your loins as the saying goes. We are in for quite a ride through the remainder of 2024, and in the next few years. Whether we actually adopt some of these religious zealot dogmas at a national level remains to be seen, but remember, it won't matter if the majority of people are against such measures. Ideologues like this aren't concerned with what the majority think. They have their holy book, their narrow interpretations, and the sheer belief that God is on their side, the electorate or the constitution be damned.