How did the priests keep the power in theocracies?

In a number of the Sumerian City-States, the priests wielded direct political power. This would make them theocracies.

The Leaders of the church have the power, and is derived from God.

By the will of God, Rising through the ranks of that religion.

Theocracies are replete with disadvantages: Theocracies deny all or most personal human rights. Freedom of Speech is abrogated with Blasphemy Laws. Freedom of Religion is abrogated with Mandatory State Religion. Cruel Punishments and Torture are openly practiced. Theocracies retard scientific growth since science often dispels certain aspects of the religion in power. Theocracies are more belligerent and bellicose since the will of the sovereign is not countenanced by the will of the people. Theocracies breed religious fundamentalism. Theocracies usually have some form of "thought-police" to enforce the lack of religious liberty. Theocracies are usually culturally reactionary since the religion in power does not change while the world around them does.

Theocracy would be rule by God. In a true Theocracy, God would have the power and authority.

the priests had the power allthough they had kings and stuff, everyone had to listen to the priests. they where like gods on earth

There is no government ruled directly by a god. There are governments ruled by priests who believe that they represent a god, these governments are called "theocracies". In certain ancient cultures, such as ancient Egypt, the people believed their ruler to be a god, so in a way they were ruled by an appointed god.

Priests accepting indulgences. Priests having children. Priests valuing money even though they took a vow of poverty. Priests abusing their power.

priests do not necessarily have "power" they are there to serve the people who are members of the church

They worked to keep the provinces running smoothly

With the exception of modern theocracies, which have more standard secular education, theocracies, by and large, have exclusively or predominantly religious education.

Kings, priests and military leaders had power in ancient India.

Monarchy is rule by a king, prince, emir, sultan, or other hereditary power-holder. Theocracy is rule by a religious leader or a person who is believed to be a god-in-the-flesh. In many societies, monarchies have been theocracies since the king was believed to be a physical god, such as in Ancient Egypt or as recently as World War II Japan. However, you can have monarchies that are either secular states or states where there is an official religion, but this religion does not have ruling power. You can also have theocracies where the rulership comes to power via internal appointment or quasi-democratic election as opposed to heredity, so these would be non-monarchic theocracies.

The rulers and priests

Nobles, priests, and kings

Yes because they keep the gods happy and keep the evil away

A Theocracy is a government by religious priests. It is a TERRIBLE form of government as things are seen in black and white terms. Which is strange as most religions peace peace and love. Examples of Theocracies are: The Vatican state (the only Christian Theocracy). Iran, Islamic State, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Gaza, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Mauritania are all Islamic Theocracies although some of them pretend to be democracies or monarchies.

Iran and Vatican City are theocracies.

ancient Egyptians glorify the priests because they held religous ceremonies to keep gods happy... ITS SO LOGIAL PEOPLE!

A theocracy is where political power lies in the hands of religious parties. The people involved serve as long as the internal politics of the religious organisation permits.

In the 1500s the Catholic Church had a lot of power. The church had built up their power of the years and priests themselves had a lot of power.

they would not stay in power.

The church was Catholic so it was the Pope and the priests.

They submerged their own morality to increase the power of the church.

Catholics believe that priests should wear special robes to express their importance. This was shown by priests being called divine beings, this was presented by priests wearing rich, elaborate clothing. In the catholic church priests had more power than the protestant priests ever had, because they have to wear plain clothes and were not considered very much as divine beings.