Gott mit uns. German for "God with us"
— the motto of the Ordenstaat of the Teutonic Order, later adopted by Kingdom of Prussia.
"Government cannot be religious and self-assertive at the same time. Religious experience needs a spontaneity which laws inevitably suppress. And you cannot govern without laws. Your laws eventually must replace morality, replace conscience, replace even the religion by which you think to govern. Sacred ritual must spring from praise and holy yearnings which hammer out a significant morality. Government, on the other hand, is a cultural organism particularly attractive to doubts, questions and contentions. I see the day coming when ceremony must take the place of faith and symbolism replaces morality."
— Lady Jessica, Dune Messiah
Phoenix Wright: Everyone I've met so far seems deeply religious.
Ahlbi Ur'gaid: Of course we are! After all, Khura'in is also known as the Land of Prayer. It's said that we Khura'inese spend an average of fifteen hours a day in prayer.
Phoenix: What?! F-Fifteen...?!
Ahlbi: From the moment we wake, to the moment we fall asleep, our hearts are always in prayer.
Ahlbi Ur'gaid: Of course we are! After all, Khura'in is also known as the Land of Prayer. It's said that we Khura'inese spend an average of fifteen hours a day in prayer.
Phoenix: What?! F-Fifteen...?!
Ahlbi: From the moment we wake, to the moment we fall asleep, our hearts are always in prayer.
— Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice, Case 6-3: "The Rite of Turnabout"
All who walk the blessed path will find salvation, even in death.
Out of darkness, these blades will light our way.
Glory and honor guide our ascension.
On the blood of our fathers, on the blood of our sons.
The true devotee honors our name with actions, not words.
Victory is secured not from the throne, but from the frontlines.
With this sacrament of blood we journey into the divine beyond.
Out of darkness, these blades will light our way.
Glory and honor guide our ascension.
On the blood of our fathers, on the blood of our sons.
The true devotee honors our name with actions, not words.
Victory is secured not from the throne, but from the frontlines.
With this sacrament of blood we journey into the divine beyond.
— The Covenant Writ of Union, Halo 2
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
"The clergy of this nation guides the populace while allowing democratic institutions to exist under their watchful eye. Religious values are highly regarded and the gods are worshipped faithfully, with there being no separation between faith and state."
—Description of Irenic Theocracy, a subideology of Harmony, Equestria at War
"Theocratic socialism is based on religious values. It sees capitalism as idolatry and sin that goes against the teachings of religious leaders. According to its advocates, the Gods intended for all living beings to be equal and not oppress one another."
—Description of Religious Socialism, a subideology of Communism, Equestria at War
"With the head of state being a member of the clergy or a proclaimed god, authoritarian theocracy uses faith to unite the nation, with the word of the leader becoming law."
—Description of Authoritarian Theocracy, a subideology of Supremacy, Equestria at War
"For millenia, the immortal alicorns ruled over Equestria. Through their magic powers and wisdom gained from uncountable experiences and years of life, they secured harmony for Equestria, and let the little ponies live out their lives, freely and without care for the dangers in the world. However, as this has continued, so has Equestria's dependence on the princesses. With their disappearance, Equestria has been left rudderless. But some still believe. Some still believe that they are still around, and they will return, one day, and lead Equestria boldly onwards. All of these rumours, theories, hypotheses and delusions has come to rest upon the newest Princess of Equestria and now the Celestial Regent, Twilight Sparkle.
The corpse of what was once the Home of Ponykind, the birthplace of the Magic of Friendship, held together by fear, nostalgia and a virulent hatred for all perceived enemies of Celestia and her little ponies, the sole goal of the Celestial Cult is to hasten the return of the alicorns to Equestria. To this end, the Regent and her supporters believe in mobilizing all the resources of Equestria towards hastening her return, hoping that she will return when the Regent and her ponies have learned enough friendship lessons and proven that they are worthy of her grace.
Orders have been given to systematically cleanse all opposition to their vision of Equestria in general and Celestia in particular, enforced friendship amongst everyone and the construction of grand monuments to 'friendship', 'harmony' or Celestia. Their system of surveillance and of extreme punishment is inspired, some would even dare say copied from a fringe group in New Mareland, and the submission of the ponies from the worst of literature.
Yet, it is unclear how it can perpetuate itself. For every day that goes without Celesta returning, the cult, its supporters and even the Regent herself grows more desperate. Soon, they fear, there will not be an Equestria for Celestia to return to."
The corpse of what was once the Home of Ponykind, the birthplace of the Magic of Friendship, held together by fear, nostalgia and a virulent hatred for all perceived enemies of Celestia and her little ponies, the sole goal of the Celestial Cult is to hasten the return of the alicorns to Equestria. To this end, the Regent and her supporters believe in mobilizing all the resources of Equestria towards hastening her return, hoping that she will return when the Regent and her ponies have learned enough friendship lessons and proven that they are worthy of her grace.
Orders have been given to systematically cleanse all opposition to their vision of Equestria in general and Celestia in particular, enforced friendship amongst everyone and the construction of grand monuments to 'friendship', 'harmony' or Celestia. Their system of surveillance and of extreme punishment is inspired, some would even dare say copied from a fringe group in New Mareland, and the submission of the ponies from the worst of literature.
Yet, it is unclear how it can perpetuate itself. For every day that goes without Celesta returning, the cult, its supporters and even the Regent herself grows more desperate. Soon, they fear, there will not be an Equestria for Celestia to return to."
—Description of Celestial Cult, a subideology of Supremacy, Equestria at War
"Maar, the griffon god of murder, cruelty, and evil, is very rarely worshipped. In this state, however, worship of the dark god is mandatory. Occultism, blood sacrifice, necromancy, and even demonology are glorious affairs. Orthodoxy is heresy. Death is life. Evil is good."
—Description of Maar Worship, a subideology of Supremacy, Equestria at War
"In a theocracy, priests or shamans lead the nation, attempting to preserve their traditions in a changing world. Their policies are moderate, as they believe the only way to maintain the faith is to avoid drastic change. Depending on the specific theocracy, there may be a figurehead secular leader (often a monarch), but all real power lies in the clergy."
—Description of Theocracy, a subideology of Non-Aligned, Equestria at War
"Explicitly acknowledging a God or other such deity as their supreme authority, a Theocracy executes temporal functions through human intermediaries that are officially purported to receive divine authority or guidance. In order to do this many, most, or all of the nation's highest offices are occupied by clerical or religious officials, and state policy and actions are typically governed by the doctrines, beliefs, and scriptures of the religion that they purport to follow, whatever those may be or call for.
Internally, such nations are often characterized by prominent displays of religious observance, parochial institutions, state or otherwise, and a high degree of religious participation by their citizenry, whether voluntary or forced. With regards to foreign nations, the basic cordiality of interactions on the part of the theocratic regime again depends heavily on the character of the religion in question, and on the proclaimed qualities of the deity that the ruling class claim to represent. Whether they actually do or are only conveniently claiming to do so, is a perennial question."
Internally, such nations are often characterized by prominent displays of religious observance, parochial institutions, state or otherwise, and a high degree of religious participation by their citizenry, whether voluntary or forced. With regards to foreign nations, the basic cordiality of interactions on the part of the theocratic regime again depends heavily on the character of the religion in question, and on the proclaimed qualities of the deity that the ruling class claim to represent. Whether they actually do or are only conveniently claiming to do so, is a perennial question."
—Description of Theocracy, a subideology of Despotism, The New Order: Last Days of Europe
Theocracy
The government is run by religious officials, typically of the state religion. (Alternatively, the realm might have multiple religions that form political alliances similar to those seen in the Parliament of the modern U.K.) The realm’s rulers tend to be the religion’s most holy, wealthy, or elite members, but that isn’t always the case.
In settings with concrete evidence of divine right or actual deities, a god might be the realm’s literal ruler, with its anointed servants running the realm’s day-to-day activities. In campaigns with active deities, the GM may want to use the rules in Man Proposes, God Disposes (GURPS Fantasy, p. 148).
In any theocracy, excommunication is a truly terrible punishment for citizens: It not only threatens their souls, but also removes many or all legal rights!
Examples: Holy See; Tibet under the lamas; historical Muslim caliphates; Terry Pratchett’s Omnia.
Typical Control Rating: 3 to 6.
Typical Conformity Rating: 4 to 6.
Typical Openness Rating: 0 to 6.
Benefits:When using Marshal Manpower to increase labor resources, the realm can spend any other Resource Point to convert it into a Workforce Point once per turn.
Drawbacks: -2 to rolls to avoid revolution or dissolution (p. 45), due to the possibility of religious schisms.
The government is run by religious officials, typically of the state religion. (Alternatively, the realm might have multiple religions that form political alliances similar to those seen in the Parliament of the modern U.K.) The realm’s rulers tend to be the religion’s most holy, wealthy, or elite members, but that isn’t always the case.
In settings with concrete evidence of divine right or actual deities, a god might be the realm’s literal ruler, with its anointed servants running the realm’s day-to-day activities. In campaigns with active deities, the GM may want to use the rules in Man Proposes, God Disposes (GURPS Fantasy, p. 148).
In any theocracy, excommunication is a truly terrible punishment for citizens: It not only threatens their souls, but also removes many or all legal rights!
Examples: Holy See; Tibet under the lamas; historical Muslim caliphates; Terry Pratchett’s Omnia.
Typical Control Rating: 3 to 6.
Typical Conformity Rating: 4 to 6.
Typical Openness Rating: 0 to 6.
Benefits:When using Marshal Manpower to increase labor resources, the realm can spend any other Resource Point to convert it into a Workforce Point once per turn.
Drawbacks: -2 to rolls to avoid revolution or dissolution (p. 45), due to the possibility of religious schisms.
—GURPS: Realm Management
Theocracy
Frequently Found In: Science fiction, rare in fantasy for some reason
Features: Why settle for mortal rulers when you can just put the big man upstairs in charge!
Issues: God may be my copilot, but he doesn't help much when writing policy. Also, good luck shaping modern policy with a Bronze Age book
Historical Examples: Vatican City
Contemporary Examples: Also Vatican City, Iran, Afghanistan
Fictional Examples: The Covenant from Halo
World Builder P̶i̶t̶f̶a̶l̶l̶s̶ Perks: Having an evil religion where the final boss of the whole story is a god that can only be bested by the power of friendship and somehow still not featuring a theocracy as the story's antagonists
Frequently Found In: Science fiction, rare in fantasy for some reason
Features: Why settle for mortal rulers when you can just put the big man upstairs in charge!
Issues: God may be my copilot, but he doesn't help much when writing policy. Also, good luck shaping modern policy with a Bronze Age book
Historical Examples: Vatican City
Contemporary Examples: Also Vatican City, Iran, Afghanistan
Fictional Examples: The Covenant from Halo
World Builder P̶i̶t̶f̶a̶l̶l̶s̶ Perks: Having an evil religion where the final boss of the whole story is a god that can only be bested by the power of friendship and somehow still not featuring a theocracy as the story's antagonists
—On-screen description of Theocracies, Terrible Writing Advice, Worldbuilding Governments and Politics
The government is ruled by a clergy and their interpretation of holy scripture. The Head of State is nominally the person of worship, though in practice a worldly representative selected by merit, status, or birth.
—Description of the "Theocracy" Governance Principles law, Victoria 3
The church is an official organ of the state. All minority religions are discriminated against.
—Description of the "State Religion" Church and State law, Victoria 3
A more autocratic form of Theocracy, a Theocratic Dictatorship is a form of government where a priesthood of some sort rules in the name of a divinity. Unlike a Theocracy, the power of the state is solely in the hands of a single member of the priesthood. This head of the religion can command the life or death of the people they watch over, since besides having control over government services, they have a divine mandate and can dictate if someone has erred or needs to be put to death purely on religious doctrine.
Many religions have had some form of theocratic government in the past. The longest functioning one still in existence is in fact the Papacy. They have declined over time, but due to the recent state of the world, many established faiths are experiencing a revival and growing fanaticism of returning to more godly ways.
Many religions have had some form of theocratic government in the past. The longest functioning one still in existence is in fact the Papacy. They have declined over time, but due to the recent state of the world, many established faiths are experiencing a revival and growing fanaticism of returning to more godly ways.
—Description of Theocratic Dictatorship, a subideology of Autocracy, Extremis Ultimis
A Theocracy is a form of government where a priesthood of some sort rules in the name of a divinity. The head of state for a theocracy is often the head of this priesthood, often having divine mandate to rule as they see fit. This head of the religion often has subordinate members of the clergy to manage portions of the government, or might divest some of their authority towards temporal political officers. Regardless, all members of a theocracy profess faith in the same entity and doctrine.
Theocrats are traditionally conservative and authoritarian, believing it is their duty to evangelize and guide society based on their beliefs. They are firmly on the right wing, as more left leaning theocrats tend to reject this format in favor of religious socialism. They tend to be ambivalent allies towards ethnic nationalists, as there is some overlap with more clerical forms of fascism. However they often do reject more esoteric forms of the ideology.
Theocrats are traditionally conservative and authoritarian, believing it is their duty to evangelize and guide society based on their beliefs. They are firmly on the right wing, as more left leaning theocrats tend to reject this format in favor of religious socialism. They tend to be ambivalent allies towards ethnic nationalists, as there is some overlap with more clerical forms of fascism. However they often do reject more esoteric forms of the ideology.
—Description of Theocracy, a subideology of Authoritarianism, Extremis Ultimis
A rare form of government which recognizes one or more dieties as supreme ruling authorities, with "intermediaries" managing everyday affairs of the government. Most theocratic governments are conservative in their worldview, seeing the current world as decadent and in need of purification from its sin.
— Description of Theocracy, a subideology of Despotism, The Fire Rises (Mod)
