Something fishy about theocracy.

If you ever wondered what it was like living in the dark-ages when religion and politics were inextricably intertwined? Speculate no more, just tune yourself into the bonkers news stories that emanate from the theocratic regime of Iran. Just this week we learn about a man being executed (by hanging) for suggesting that the story of Jonah and the whale might be symbolic. The problem for this persecuted citizen of course is that facts are of no consequence when dealing with people who do not value evidence and use superstitious nonsense (which is unquestionable) to justify their petty political grievances. This is what happens when religion is protected and endorsed by a state. 

In the secular west these days we tend to see Religion as a diminishing political force in society, relegated to the private domain (mostly), tolerated, tamed and civilised by 300 years of enlightenment thinking and scientific progress. However, we must never forget how it behaved when it was strong.