Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy and Christianity

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Cypress

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Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy and Christianity

Democracies are prone to changing values because of their majoritarian nature. Hence, an important question is: Where is the anchor of democracy to be found? For Tocqueville, the answer is in religion generally and Christianity specifically. Christian values are not subject to the whims of the majority; hence, they are essential for the functioning of American democracy. They also lead adherents beyond their desire for material prosperity and comfort. Tocqueville is convinced that despite its history, Christianity is, in its essence, supportive of democracy and its most essential principle, equality of conditions.

Tocqueville, however, posits that if churches become directly involved in politics, they will be subject to all of the “hardball politics” of other associations; thus, they will lose influence.

Tocqueville also proposes the counterintuitive belief that Catholicism is a better fit with democracy than various forms of Protestantism, including those that were present at the foundation of American society.

Tocqueville believed that, in its essence and despite its corruption in Europe, Christianity was compatible with, and supportive of, democracy, because Christ operated from the premise of the equality of conditions among humans.



Source credit: William Cook, PhD, State University of New York
 
Cypress said:
Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy and Christianity

Democracies are prone to changing values because of their majoritarian nature. Hence, an important question is: Where is the anchor of democracy to be found? For Tocqueville, the answer is in religion generally and Christianity specifically. Christian values are not subject to the whims of the majority; hence, they are essential for the functioning of American democracy. They also lead adherents beyond their desire for material prosperity and comfort. Tocqueville is convinced that despite its history, Christianity is, in its essence, supportive of democracy and its most essential principle, equality of conditions.

Tocqueville, however, posits that if churches become directly involved in politics, they will be subject to all of the “hardball politics” of other associations; thus, they will lose influence.

Tocqueville also proposes the counterintuitive belief that Catholicism is a better fit with democracy than various forms of Protestantism, including those that were present at the foundation of American society.

Tocqueville believed that, in its essence and despite its corruption in Europe, Christianity was compatible with, and supportive of, democracy, because Christ operated from the premise of the equality of conditions among humans.



Source credit: William Cook, PhD, State University of New York
Click to expand...


Christianity is destructive of democracy. It should be outlawed. Teaches people to not trust government.
 
Cypress said:
Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy and Christianity

Democracies are prone to changing values because of their majoritarian nature. Hence, an important question is: Where is the anchor of democracy to be found? For Tocqueville, the answer is in religion generally and Christianity specifically. Christian values are not subject to the whims of the majority; hence, they are essential for the functioning of American democracy. They also lead adherents beyond their desire for material prosperity and comfort. Tocqueville is convinced that despite its history, Christianity is, in its essence, supportive of democracy and its most essential principle, equality of conditions.

Tocqueville, however, posits that if churches become directly involved in politics, they will be subject to all of the “hardball politics” of other associations; thus, they will lose influence.

Tocqueville also proposes the counterintuitive belief that Catholicism is a better fit with democracy than various forms of Protestantism, including those that were present at the foundation of American society.

Tocqueville believed that, in its essence and despite its corruption in Europe, Christianity was compatible with, and supportive of, democracy, because Christ operated from the premise of the equality of conditions among humans.



Source credit: William Cook, PhD, State University of New York
Click to expand...
Thanks for reminding me of him. I want to read his “Democracy in America”
 
BidenPresident said:
Look at European fascism in Germany and Italy. They were both overtly religious and supported Christian values.
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Hitler was not religious in the least, and neither were the Nazis.

Theocratic regimes in the middle east and medieval Spain were obvious examples of corruption and authoritarianism.

The great atheist states of the 20th century were particularly an anathema to democracy: USSR, Maoist China, Eastern bloc communist states.
 
BidenPresident said:
Which is the US. We give churches a tax break from paying property taxes. Thus, all Americans pay for churches to operate.
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I think the Protestant churches in USA which have become overtly political have a corrupting influnce, and Tocqueville was against that.
 
Cypress said:
Hitler was not religious in the least, and neither were the Nazis.

Theocratic regimes in the middle east and medieval Spain were obvious examples of corruption and authoritarianism.

The great atheist states of the 20th century were particularly an anathema to democracy: USSR, Maoist China, Eastern bloc communist states.
Click to expand...


"Christianity creates structural helplessness in the masses of people so that, when in need, they appeal to God instead of their own strength and self-confidence. It makes people structurally afraid of pleasure and incapable of pleasure. This is the root of a good deal of human sadism. " (Reich, Mass Psychology of Fascism, p 106)


Reich shows how Christianity is perfectly compatible with fascism.
 
I have no problem with New Testament human values.
I find it preposterous to imagine that it has to be taken literally to be beneficial.

As a secular humanist, I generally accept New Testament values
finding the scripture to be totally reasonable as allegory, not as history.
 
BidenPresident said:
Paul of Taurus does not strike me as Christian either.
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Maybe it is sheer coincidence that constitutional monarchies and democratic republics emerged in the Protestant and Catholic nations of western Europe and North America.

Tocqueville seemed to think it had at least something to do with the message of spritual equality attributed to Jesus of Nazareth.
 
Cypress said:
Maybe it is sheer coincidence that constitutional monarchies and democratic republics emerged in the Protestant and Catholic nations of western Europe and North America.

Tocqueville seemed to think it had at least something to do with the message of spritual equality attributed to Jesus of Nazareth.
Click to expand...

yeah, I don't agree with him. Otherwise, he had a good understanding of our nation.
 
Cypress said:
Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy and Christianity

Democracies are prone to changing values because of their majoritarian nature. Hence, an important question is: Where is the anchor of democracy to be found? For Tocqueville, the answer is in religion generally and Christianity specifically. Christian values are not subject to the whims of the majority; hence, they are essential for the functioning of American democracy. They also lead adherents beyond their desire for material prosperity and comfort. Tocqueville is convinced that despite its history, Christianity is, in its essence, supportive of democracy and its most essential principle, equality of conditions.

Tocqueville, however, posits that if churches become directly involved in politics, they will be subject to all of the “hardball politics” of other associations; thus, they will lose influence.

Tocqueville also proposes the counterintuitive belief that Catholicism is a better fit with democracy than various forms of Protestantism, including those that were present at the foundation of American society.

Tocqueville believed that, in its essence and despite its corruption in Europe, Christianity was compatible with, and supportive of, democracy, because Christ operated from the premise of the equality of conditions among humans.



Source credit: William Cook, PhD, State University of New York
Click to expand...



:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Christian Fascists just attempted a coup. I find it odd you supporting them.
 
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