Author Topic: if the USA were Catholic (Read 1982 times)

love alabama · « **on:** July 31, 2011, 07:44:17 PM »

How would the US look like today if it were to become Catholic?

I know this would never happen but what are the changes that would have to be made in it's government, society, government institutions etc. What about the party system as well?

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2011, 07:55:42 PM »

If it were to become Catholic, then that would mean no more abortion or gαy marriage, and the people in office would be for upholding God's Laws, not for dictator government. The problem is, with so many corrupt people running the show in our government, the government would never become Catholic until after the chastizement.

ajpirc · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:17:47 PM »

This may be off topic, but I once read a bumper sticker that said, "GOD BLESS AMERICA with the Catholic Faith."

Kephapaulos · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:19:42 PM »

Quote from: ajpirc

This may be off topic, but I once read a bumper sticker that said, "GOD BLESS AMERICA with the Catholic Faith."

Really! That's what put in my signature here some time ago. :D

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:20:34 PM »

Quote from: ajpirc

This may be off topic, but I once read a bumper sticker that said, "GOD BLESS AMERICA with the Catholic Faith."

Every driver in America should have that bumper sticker on their car.

ajpirc · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:38:39 PM »

Quote from: Kephapaulos

Quote from: ajpirc
This may be off topic, but I once read a bumper sticker that said, "GOD BLESS AMERICA with the Catholic Faith."

Really! That's what put in my signature here some time ago. :D

Oh, maybe that's where I saw it. It's probably on a bumper sticker somewhere in America. My bad...

Man of the West · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:56:27 PM »

I was playing around at Makestickers.com once. Made myself a sticker that said "You cannot be Catholic and Democrat." I got a nice reception from some fellas when I was driving through Wyoming.

Lybus · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2011, 10:51:04 PM »

I'll assume you mean traditional catholic.

Well, let's start off with the first 3 branches of government; judicial, legislative, and executive. In order to join any of these branches, one would have to be a catholic. Freedom of religion concerning the political branch would be abolished, and in order to be eligible to run for a political position, he would have to be catholic. Catholics would also have more rights than people of other religions.

The judicial branch, I think, should be primarily made up of members of the clergy. I think that the Supreme Court should be made up of bishops. the lower branches of the judicial system should be two factions; clergy and secular, mostly to act as a sort of checks and balances. The clergy to uphold church law, the secular to hold up civil law. The Supreme Court of Bishops would see that congress was in accordance with Church teaching and constitutional law.

Congress would remain secular, but congressional meeting are to be done after a mass has been offered. The executive branch would also be secular, and can appoint bishops to the Supreme Court with the guidance of the pope.

The Constitution might have to be modified in some places. Freedom of speech would still be allowed but only to the extent that the speech is not against Church teachings. Freedom of the press, gun rights, right to vote, etc, can still be uphold. Women may or may not be allowed to vote.

ajpirc · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:37:00 AM »

I like your idea, but this wouldn't be possible in the conciliar Church where Catholicism can't be the state religion and everybody has the right to practice any religion. This is a great idea though.

There is a difference between separation of Church from State and a separation of State from Church. The state does not have the right to interfere with the Church, but the Church does have the right to interfere with the state.

love alabama · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:38:40 AM »

Quote from: Lybus

I'll assume you mean traditional catholic.

Well, let's start off with the first 3 branches of government; judicial, legislative, and executive. In order to join any of these branches, one would have to be a catholic. Freedom of religion concerning the political branch would be abolished, and in order to be eligible to run for a political position, he would have to be catholic. Catholics would also have more rights than people of other religions.

The judicial branch, I think, should be primarily made up of members of the clergy. I think that the Supreme Court should be made up of bishops. the lower branches of the judicial system should be two factions; clergy and secular, mostly to act as a sort of checks and balances. The clergy to uphold church law, the secular to hold up civil law. The Supreme Court of Bishops would see that congress was in accordance with Church teaching and constitutional law.

Congress would remain secular, but congressional meeting are to be done after a mass has been offered. The executive branch would also be secular, and can appoint bishops to the Supreme Court with the guidance of the pope.

The Constitution might have to be modified in some places. Freedom of speech would still be allowed but only to the extent that the speech is not against Church teachings. Freedom of the press, gun rights, right to vote, etc, can still be uphold. Women may or may not be allowed to vote.

Great framework.

What about the states?

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2011, 10:00:52 AM »

Quote from: love alabama

Quote from: Lybus
I'll assume you mean traditional catholic.

Well, let's start off with the first 3 branches of government; judicial, legislative, and executive. In order to join any of these branches, one would have to be a catholic. Freedom of religion concerning the political branch would be abolished, and in order to be eligible to run for a political position, he would have to be catholic. Catholics would also have more rights than people of other religions.

The judicial branch, I think, should be primarily made up of members of the clergy. I think that the Supreme Court should be made up of bishops. the lower branches of the judicial system should be two factions; clergy and secular, mostly to act as a sort of checks and balances. The clergy to uphold church law, the secular to hold up civil law. The Supreme Court of Bishops would see that congress was in accordance with Church teaching and constitutional law.

Congress would remain secular, but congressional meeting are to be done after a mass has been offered. The executive branch would also be secular, and can appoint bishops to the Supreme Court with the guidance of the pope.

The Constitution might have to be modified in some places. Freedom of speech would still be allowed but only to the extent that the speech is not against Church teachings. Freedom of the press, gun rights, right to vote, etc, can still be uphold. Women may or may not be allowed to vote.

Great framework.

What about the states?

I'm assuming the structure would be the same, and they would actually have a certain level of autonomy provided by the constitution.

I would also like to add to what was suggested above, that the Inquisition be established in order to deal those who would be considered religious as well as political enemies of the state (folks like Alister Crowley and John Calvin for example).

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2011, 10:09:34 AM »

With regards to the party system... I think it would be in the best interests of the nation to do away with it. Far too often do people vote according to the R or D next to candidates name and not their political philosophy. It obviously has created unnecessary division.

I have a problem with people voting in general, but that may be another discussion. I personally think we would need a more centralized government in the form of a Monarchy in order to efficiently Catholicize the nation and keep it that way. But I can live with a Catholic Republic (with an independent Texas to top it off

:wink:).

Pyrrhos · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2011, 10:25:34 AM »

Why should the clergy be kept out of the legislative and executive branch? I think it is more fitting for them to actually govern than to judge.

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2011, 10:54:45 AM »

Quote from: Pyrrhos

Why should the clergy be kept out of the legislative and executive branch? I think it is more fitting for them to actually govern than to judge.

I think they would be better off being regulated to the judicial sector. We all know (some better than others) what running for office entails. Aggressively competing in a contest of power is not something healthy for a person who exercises the priestly office.

Lybus · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2011, 12:33:11 PM »

Quote from: Catholic Samurai

Quote from: Pyrrhos
Why should the clergy be kept out of the legislative and executive branch? I think it is more fitting for them to actually govern than to judge.

I think they would be better off being regulated to the judicial sector. We all know (some better than others) what running for office entails. Aggressively competing in a contest of power is not something healthy for a person who exercises the priestly office.

agreed.

I was actually thinking of dissolving the United States and having 51 independent sovereign states in its place, and then having all of these monarchies. I think it would be easier to govern smaller kingdoms than one large country the size of Europe. This way, the states are far more personalized and can deal better with their unique cultures.

But since we're talking about a Catholic republic, that's a bit off topic. I think that an inquisition would necessarily follow if the clergy are to be in positions of judiciary power. The civil law has the police force, so naturally, the church law would need its own enforcers.

How about freedom of religion in general (outside the political realm)? Should people of other religions be allowed to practice it in private? I am inclined to think so long as it is not done in public, then religion can be practiced. My only motivation in allowing it is so that we don't have people joining the church out of fear of the law. We'd rather have Catholics that want to actually be Catholic. I may be wrong on this, what do you guys think on this issue?

The party system I think would inevitably come about no matter what we do. Personally, I'd rather not have it either, but if it were to happen, we would want to have as many political parties as possible, so we don't have a Republocrat situation like we do now.