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What is the difference between a secular and theocratic government?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Something that's "secular" means that it's non-religious in nature. Conversely, something that's non-secular means that it's religious in nature.
Theocracy is, by definition, related to religion; and so it's non-secular. Specifically, a theocracy is a form of government which is believed to be guided by the Abrahamic God... or at least some god or diety; or guided or led by those who claim to be said god's or diety's (or the Abrahamic God's) agent or agents.
The "theo" part of the word "theocracy" (or "theocratic") means of, about, or the study of a diety or god... or, for many: Of, about, or the study of the Abrahamic God. The word "theocracy" (and/or the word "theocratic") is, therefore, inherently religious... and so is non-secular in nature.
A secular government is just the opposite: One which doesn't factor any kind of religion or religiosity into its beliefs, standards, practices, or operations.
Any properly-founded, -administered and -maintained democracy (or even a republic) is typically secular... and so is inherently non-theocratic.
The United States government, for example, is not a theocracy. On the contrary, it is a "Democratic Republic," or a "democracy," which specifically prohibits, by the so-called "separation of church and state" provision of the First Amendment to its Constitution, any official government religiosity of any kind. The United States, then, is a decidely (even if sometimes not necessarily unambiguously) secular (and therefore, non-theocratic) government...
...and that, even though the United States is a decidely -- at least in terms of the percentages of its population which have or don't have certain religious beliefs -- religious (specifically, Christian) nation. Sadly, the line between church and state in the US sometimes gets blurred by such as, for example, those who believe that the Christian Ten Commandments should be displayed on and in government buildings; or those who think it's okay to begin government legislative sessions with invocative/benedictive Christian (or at least ecumenical/interfaith) prayer at the beginning/ending of said legislative sessions; or those who think it's okay for US currency, and/or plaques on walls in courtrooms, above and behind judges heads, to contain the words "In God We Trust." The United States, despite these things, is a decidedly (even if not, sometimes, completely unambiguously) non-religious, non-theocratic, secular nation.
The government of Iran, for example, on the other hand, is controlled, ultimately, by Islamic imams and other relgious leaders. Iran, then, is a non-secular nation; and its government is unambiguously theocratic.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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What is the difference between a secular and theocratic state?
A secular state is one that does not officially align with any religion and ensures separation of religion and government, while a theocratic state is one where religious leaders or religious institutions hold political power and influence government decisions based on religious principles. In a secular state, laws are typically based on democratic principles and human rights, whereas in a theocratic state, laws are often based on religious teachings or interpretations.
Why did ataturk abolish the caliphate as part of his reform movement?
Ataturk was creating a secular state and the Caliphate was a theocratic element in the Ottoman Apparatus. As a result, he chose to eliminate it. He wished for a secular government because he believed that only a secular government could truly advance the people and make Turkey a powerful country.
What kind of state is called a secular state?
A secular state is one that does not favor any specific religion and ensures the separation of religion and government. In a secular state, the government treats all religions equally and does not promote or endorse any particular faith. Each individual is free to practice their religion, or not, without interference from the state.
What is the difference between secular and a theocracy?
A secular state separates religion and government, allowing individuals to practice any religion or no religion. In contrast, a theocracy is a government where religious leaders or institutions hold political power and make decisions based on religious beliefs or principles.
What is the difference between the church and the government?
The church is guided by the Holy Spirit as the truth to impose the law of the church while the government is so secular and accepting opinions to make it as the truth when the legislators made the law.
What is the difference between secularism and non secularism?
non secular is all about religious aspects, and secular is not. ex. Christmas is a religious holiday so it is non secular, and pi day is not so it is secular
What is the difference between the roles of church and secular power in medieval art and society?
colour
What type of government does turkey have now?
Turkey has Parliamentary republic regime.
What is secular government?
A secular government is a government which strives to separate itself from any religious or spiritual matters.
Was Van Buren a christian?
This is a secular government so it makes no difference if he was or not. Presidents don’t rule by religion, but by the constitution.
What is the opposite of secular?
The opposite of secular would be religious or spiritual.Secular means of or relating to the doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations. Therefore the opposite to this has to be spiritual i.e concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church. The peoples of the world today are basically secular.The opposite of secular is "theocratic". It means a form of government by God or through a priestly order e.g: France or Pakistan.Religious.
What is the difference between sacred and secular music during the renaissance?
Sacred is religious mucic that are related to the catholic church on the contrary Secular music is non-religious music. "Secular" means being separate from religion.
