Theocracy facts for kids
A theocracy is a special kind of government where leaders believe they are guided by a god or gods. In these governments, religious leaders often hold the main power. They make decisions based on what they believe are divine laws or guidance. This means that religious rules and beliefs are very important in how the country is run.
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How Theocracies Work
In a true theocracy, the country's leader is believed to have a direct connection with their god or gods. For example, Muhammad led the early Muslims, and people believed he received messages from Allah.
Sometimes, religious leaders play a big role in the government. But they might not claim to speak directly for a god. This is called an ecclesiocracy.
Countries with Theocratic Elements Today
Today, there are a few places in the world that are considered theocracies or have strong religious influence in their governments.
Vatican City: A Unique Religious State
Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world. It is located inside Rome, Italy. The head of state is the pope, who is the leader of the Catholic Church. The pope is chosen by a group of high-ranking clergy called the College of Cardinals. He serves for life.
Vatican City became an independent state in 1929 through an agreement with the Italian government. Its laws are based on canon law, which are the laws of the Catholic Church. The pope has full legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
Mount Athos: A Monastic Community
Mount Athos is a special mountain peninsula in Greece. It is an Eastern Orthodox autonomous area made up of 20 monasteries. These monasteries are under the direct authority of the leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Constantinople.
Mount Athos has had a continuous Christian presence for almost 1,800 years. It has been self-governing since the Byzantine Empire in 972 AD. Today, it is part of Greece but has special rules. For example, only men are allowed to visit, and they need special permission from the monks.
Islamic Republics: Rule by Islamic Law
Some countries are called "Islamic republics." This means they are officially ruled by Islamic laws. Examples include Iran, Pakistan, and Mauritania. These countries see themselves as a blend between a purely Islamic state and a modern republic. In these states, the laws are expected to follow some or all of the rules of Sharia, which are Islamic religious laws.
Afghanistan: The Islamic Emirate
Afghanistan was an Islamic theocracy when the Taliban first ruled from 1996 to 2001. They returned to power in 2021 and reestablished the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The Taliban aimed to establish strict law and order based on their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.
Under their rule, many activities were forbidden, such as music, television, and movies. Most forms of art and sports were also not allowed. Women faced significant restrictions, including being banned from working and girls from attending schools or universities. Men were required to grow their beards. Strict punishments were enforced for crimes. The Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, held the highest authority, and decisions were made without elections.
Iran: A Theocratic Republic
Iran is often described as a "theocratic republic." Its government combines religious and democratic ideas. All laws in Iran must follow Islamic principles.
The country's top leader, called the "Supreme Leader," is a religious scholar. This leader has more power than the president. The current Supreme Leader is Ali Khamenei, who has held this role since 1989. He appoints many important government officials, including military commanders and the chief justice.
A group called the Guardian Council also plays a big role. It can reject laws passed by the Parliament if they don't agree with Islamic laws. This council also approves or rejects candidates for elections.
Saudi Arabia: An Islamic Monarchy
Saudi Arabia is an Arab Islamic state with Islam as its official religion. While it is a monarchy, some people describe it as an Islamic theocracy because of the strong influence of religion in its government and laws. Religious minorities face restrictions on openly practicing their faith.
Central Tibetan Administration: A Government in Exile
The Central Tibetan Administration is the government of Tibetan exiles. Historically, the Dalai Lama, a religious leader, was the head of this government. This continued the tradition of the former government of Tibet, where the Dalai Lamas held both political and religious power.
However, in 2011, the 14th Dalai Lama suggested that his political role be transferred to an elected leader. Since then, the head of the administration is an elected official called the Sikyong, which means "political leader."
Historical Societies with Theocratic Features
Throughout history, many societies have had governments where religious beliefs and leaders played a central role.
Ancient Israel: Judges and God's Guidance
Before kings ruled, Ancient Israel was led by Judges. These Judges were seen as God's representatives, helping to make decisions and guide the people according to divine will.
Japan: Emperors and the Sun Goddess
For a long time, the emperors of Japan were honored as descendants of the Shinto sun-goddess Amaterasu. This made the emperor a living god and the supreme leader. This belief changed after World War II in 1945, when Emperor Hirohito declared he was not a living god, and Japan became a democratic nation.
Tibet: Dalai Lamas and Spiritual Rule
Unified religious rule in Buddhist Tibet began in 1642. The Fifth Dalai Lama combined political and religious power, becoming the head of the Gelug school of Buddhism. This system, where the Dalai Lamas held both spiritual and governmental authority, continued for centuries.
Byzantine Empire: Emperors as God's Representatives
The Byzantine Empire (from 324 to 1453 AD) had a system where the emperor was both the head of society and the ultimate authority over religious leaders. The emperor was seen as God's representative on Earth, ruling with absolute power. People believed the empire was an earthly reflection of the Kingdom of Heaven.
China: Sons of Heaven
Historically, the Chinese emperor was called the "Son of Heaven." This title suggested a divine connection, meaning the emperor ruled with the approval of heaven. While largely ceremonial after the first historical emperor, it showed the deep link between leadership and divine authority in ancient China.
Caliphates: Islamic Leaders with Dual Power
In Islam, a Caliph is a leader who combines both religious and political authority. Sunni Muslims believe a Caliph should be chosen by the community, while Shia Muslims believe a Caliph should be an Imam chosen by God from Muhammad's family. In both cases, Caliphs were seen as having both spiritual and worldly power.
Quebec: Church Influence in Government
In Quebec, Canada, especially under Premier Maurice Duplessis (1936–1939 and 1944–1959), the Roman Catholic Church had a very strong influence on the government. The church controlled education and healthcare. Books and films were censored, and religious rules heavily influenced civil law, such as banning divorce. This strong church influence lessened after 1960 with the start of the Quiet Revolution.
Interesting Facts about Theocracy
- The word "theocracy" comes from ancient Greek words: theos meaning "god" and krateo meaning "to rule." So, it literally means "rule by God."
- In the first century AD, a historian named Flavius Josephus first used this word. He used it to describe the government of the ancient Jews.
- In Ancient Egypt, the pharaohs were seen as divine beings, like living gods. They were believed to connect the gods with the people.
- From 1620 until the American Revolution, the Massachusetts Colony in America had a strong religious government.
- In the late 1400s, a Dominican priest named Girolamo Savonarola briefly ruled the city of Florence, Italy. His rule had features of a theocracy. During this time, "unchristian" books and items were burned in events called "Bonfires of the Vanities," and strict Christian practices became law.
See also
In Spanish: Teocracia para niños
