Theocracy and Issue #648 (spoilers, etc.)

[Sant Lazarre]

So with Issue #648 (the one about confessional booths), I understand that both the "religious" options of choice 1 and choice 3 repeal Theocracy and State Surveillance. State Surveillance makes sense, as you're refusing to let the state spy on religious activity. But what about Theocracy? They both increase religiousness and they both involve respecting the sanctity of religious beliefs - and choice 1 in particular is about a mainstream faith. For countries trying to roleplay as theocratic nations, it doesn't make sense - surely the state infringing upon the majority faith would be more damaging to a theocracy than the state choosing to abide by religious laws? As such, I'd suggest option 2 potentially implement State Surveillance as a policy while option 1 no longer removes Theocracy... or put in another option for theocratic nations, say one which lets you implement religious law (therefore granting, not removing, the Theocracy policy).

tl;dr give me back my Theocracy, you damnable heathens

[The Free Joy State]

So with Issue #648 (the one about confessional booths), I understand that both the "religious" options of choice 1 and choice 3 repeal Theocracy and State Surveillance. State Surveillance makes sense, as you're refusing to let the state spy on religious activity. But what about Theocracy? They both increase religiousness and they both involve respecting the sanctity of religious beliefs - and choice 1 in particular is about a mainstream faith. For countries trying to roleplay as theocratic nations, it doesn't make sense - surely the state infringing upon the majority faith would be more damaging to a theocracy than the state choosing to abide by religious laws? As such, I'd suggest option 2 potentially implement State Surveillance as a policy while option 1 no longer removes Theocracy... or put in another option for theocratic nations, say one which lets you implement religious law (therefore granting, not removing, the Theocracy policy).

tl;dr give me back my Theocracy, you damnable heathens

Welcome to Got Issues?. We are an OOC subforum.

For future reference, this is the thread for unusual effects.

Theocracy is a pseudo-policy anyway, meaning that it can turn on or off out of line with the story. More about pseudo-policies can be found here.

However, this change is unrelated to it's status as a pseudo-policy and there is no unusual effect here. The option proposes that state and secular law be kept separate:

Secular law enforcement is your concern, while my concern is the immortal souls of all mankind. Let’s keep the two separate, shall we?”

Keeping the state and church separate is not compatible with full theocracy.

As for adding new options, we don't do that on a whim; this issue already feels quite complete enough.

[Daarwyrth]

I have taken a look at the options and I'd like to point to the following line in option 1:

"Secular law enforcement is your concern, while my concern is the immortal souls of all mankind. Let's keep the two separate, shall we?"

If you choose option 1, you basically say "secularization is good', because in essence the option advocates for a separation of church and state.

Now I want you to have a look at this line from option 3:

"All religions understand this truth, no matter who they worship, so all religions must have the right to put their holy beliefs ahead of mortal law."

This again suggests separation of church and state, as the line clearly defines two separate concepts, namely "divine law" and "mortal law". If one should but one above the other, that means they're not one and the same and thus secularization of the state is put in place.

In my opinion, it is no surprise that theocracy was removed from your policies, as both the religious options, while very pro-religion, speak of a separation between church and state, which is the exact opposite of a theocracy. That is why it was removed, because you chose an option that advocated secularization.