The theocentrism is a current ranging from the philosophical to the political and affirms that the center of everything is God. The deity is considered the center of the universe and all the social, cultural, scientific or power aspects are subject to this fact.
Every item that could contradict this idea is considered heretical and is liable to be banned or destroyed.
The time in which more has been lived in a theocentric society has been the medieval, when everything was under the word of God.
The arrival of the Renaissance and anthropocentrism, which puts the human being at the center, makes the places with theocentrism as the axis diminish, although they do not disappear entirely.
Main features
The definition of theocentrism is contained in the same etymology of its name, with three different particles coming from the Greek.
It is made up of the name theos, which means "god." This noun is joined by kentron, meaning "center." Finally, there is the suffix ism, normally used to define doctrines.
So, it can be said that it is about the doctrine that puts God, whatever it is depending on the beliefs, as the center of everything.
From him all the laws start, mark what should be believed and explain the world that surrounds people.
An example of this is the famous case of Galileo Galilei, who must retract his investigations because they go against what the Bible says.
Medieval times
In Europe it was the standard doctrine for centuries. Most of the people were illiterate, so a social class was necessary to translate what the Holy Scriptures meant to the people.
Those in charge of this were the priests, who exercised a fundamental power over the people.
In many countries and times, the priests were the ones who legitimized the kings. In fact, many of these considered themselves with divine right to rule.
The ecclesiastical class also ruled over education and science, allowing no deviation from what was doctrinally correct.
Apart from the previous example of Galileo, there is that of Miguel Servetus, a scientist burned at the stake for heresy.
Medieval ethnocentrism begins to decline with the arrival of the new winds brought by the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.
At this time, man began to be placed at the center of society, giving science much greater importance. Even so, the Church as an institution will continue to retain great influence and power.
Historical theocentrism outside Christian societies
This type of doctrine was the dominant one for centuries throughout the world, in Christian and non-Christian societies.
Many pre-Columbian indigenous peoples were clearly theocentric. The Incas considered that their chief was the Son of the Sun, an equivalent to a god or a demigod.
As was the case in Europe, the priests had a large part of the power, with the ability to decide every aspect of society.
Similar characteristics can be found in the Japan of the emperors and in times as late as World War II.
It is said that one of the problems of the Japanese surrender to the United States was that the emperor had to recognize that he was not a God, but simply a human being.
Also in Tibet, with Buddhism, they lived in a true theocratic society. Only monasteries could provide education and this was only religious.
Access to the country was prohibited for many centuries for fear that new ideas would enter that would annoy the almighty priests.
Present
Even today there are some countries with a theocratic system. Among these we can name the case of Iran or Saudi Arabia.
The law and its rulers come directly from the Qur'an and its god, and there can be no legislation that is considered contrary to these texts.
References
- ABC Color. Theocentrism (2nd. Part) Middle Ages. Obtained from abc.com.py
- All Matter. Theocentrism. Obtained from todamateria.com.br
- Encyclopedia. Theocentrism. Retrieved from encyclopedia.com
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Medieval Philosophy. Retrieved from plato.stanford.edu
- Policy Perspectives. Theocentrism and Pluralism: Are They Poles Apart ?. Recovered from ips.org.pk