Many ancient rulers considered themselves gods. They lived on a hill above the riff-raff, they sat in tall chairs and were spoon-fed adulation; they had power; they alone decided their own fate and the fate of those below them.
The next stage in the evolution of the ruling class (roughly) has these leaders not professing to be gods themselves, but having the confidants of god(s) at their side. God had their ear, via a priest and the messages found in sheep entrails. Or something. They were one step below their invisible Almighty Alpha, one giant leap above the peasantry. They ruled by decree. There was no vote. Though no longer professing to be gods themselves, they still had all the power, why should they share? What kind of enduring alpha shares power? Their authority was supported not by knowledge, intelligence, or integrity. It was backed by being seated at the right hand of the invisible Czar of Infinity and Beyond. And also by the nods and sermons of their entourage of ass-kissing clerics and the violence carried out by legions of faithful fighters.
I can see how this could be a very convenient arrangement. Don’t like the way things are? Tough. Besides, I’m doing the work of the Big Guy in the sky.
In democratic countries lawmakers are elected. They move to the top of the heap not by birth or intimidation — that’s the idea, anyway — but by hard work and slick advertising campaigns. They answer not to the will of their god, but to the will of their people (um, the will of their corporate campaign contributors?). If their backers are not pleased, the former leaders are banished to the fires of lobbying work.
Of course there are those old-fashioned politicians who attempt to use a god as the authority by which they back their decision-making. For example, to many a politician, homosexual unions should not be legally recognized. Why? Because their god said so! The buck stops in heaven. Wherever that is.
I look forward to the day when gods and government are completely separate domains. One fully private, the other, public. We aren’t there yet. But the day is coming.
Leave a Reply