The Morality of Absolute Monarchy [Gunny v. Kaitsar] Commentary Thread

[Prodigal]

Commentate, masses.

[Himster]

So, a monarchy could only exist in a unanomously christian society.

[Prodigal]

That's not what I said.

[Himster]

That's not what I said.

You did reference the teachings of christianity in every second sentence.

EDIT.
My mistake: you reference the teachings of christianity in every sentence.

[Prodigal]

That doesn't mean it will only work in a unanimously Christian society.

[Himster]

That doesn't mean it will only work in a unanimously Christian society.

How would you force the people of different faiths into accepting the divine rule of a deity they don't believe in?

[Prodigal]

They don't have to, and even the ruler doesn't have to be Christian, he just can't have policies that contradict Christian morality.

[Himster]

They don't have to, and even the ruler doesn't have to be Christian, he just can't have policies that contradict Christian morality.

......and people would be ok with that?

[Prodigal]

I see no reason why they wouldn't be.

[M D]

So an Islamic Absolute Ruler must follow Christian morality?

[Prodigal]

If he his policies go against Christian morality he is a tyrant.

[motiv-8]

Tyranny of course being a concept that predates Christian moralism by centuries...

[Himster]

If he his policies go against Christian morality he is a tyrant.

So if he tolerates homosexuals he becomes a tyrant and if he declares homosexuality a crime punishable by death he's perfectly justified?

(Personally I interpret the law against homosexuality strictly only applies to the jewish community, but my interpretation seems to be in the minority right now)

[Prodigal]

Tyranny of course being a concept that predates Christian moralism by centuries...

Aren't you the smart one, words can be used in philosophies and take on different meanings based on points of view. And Christian moralism has been ever-existent, but there have been times where nobody followed it because they didn't know of it.

So if he tolerates homosexuals he becomes a tyrant and if he declares homosexuality a crime punishable by death he's perfectly justified?

No, homosexual activity is a sin just like lying is. Would I banish a liar from the Church and kill them? No. They are both sins, we are all sinners, we need to work not to sin. If by "tolerates" you mean is okay with homosexual sex and "marriage" than yes, he would be a tyrant. If by "tolerate" you mean he doesn't kill them or discriminate against them in any way, then he is a good ruler operating under Christian moral values. If he killed homosexuals, he would certainly be a tyrant.

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

I'll put in a few comments here: what people think of "Absolute Monarchy" nowadays is completely and utterly distorted, ergo, the notion that it was all about a single person with unlimited powers. Fact is that unwritten Tradition and Law were still a major impediment to abuse by Monarchical institutions during the age of Absolutism, and that notion of unbrindled personal despotism came only to be true with the advent of Fascism and similar Totalitarian regimes.

[Poach]

I disagree with Kaitsar's strictly religious views on morality and legitimacy, and as such I regard all his arguments as without merit.

This isn't a stab at you, Kaitsar: your morality is your own. I do, however, fundamentally disagree with it.

[Prodigal]

Finally, someone who's respectful!

Thank you poach.

[Admiral Piett]

The real irony of this position here is that absolute monarchies tended to rebel against church establishment and traditional mores and leaned more towards acceptance of enlightenment philosophies and the development of humanist concepts.

[Prodigal]

Tell that to the Tsars.

[Admiral Piett]

Really? What would you believe about Catherine II, Peter I, and Alexander? They progressively reformed the old systems and unlike other monarchies, the tsars did not have to answer to a religious leader.

Also in the west I cite Louis XIV and XV of France, Frederick III and VI of Denmark-Norway, Karl XII of Sweden, James and Charles Stuart of England, Frederick the Great, HRE Joseph II, Leopold of Tuscany, Maria Carolina of Naples, Maria Theresa of Austria, Carlos III of Spain, and Napoleon.