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Salem Theocracy vs. Modern Theocracies (The Crucible) - Papers Online

Salem Theocracy vs. Modern Theocracies (The Crucible)

A short essay comparing modern day theocracies with the theocracy present in 17th century Salem.

The governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia, both theocracies, proved to be very similar to the theocracy present in Massachusetts in the late 17th century.

One similarity was the legal system in the three societies. In Iran and Saudi Arabia, the laws are based solely on the Islamic Koran. In 17th century Salem Massachusetts, the laws were based on the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. Even though these theocracies practice different religions, the laws present in Iran, Saudi Arabia and 17th century Salem were surprisingly similar. The same acts were considered crimes. Adultery, ...

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and in Iran most government officials are Shia Muslim, especially the high ranking ones. It seems like in each society one religion is discriminated against the most. In 17th century Salem, Quakerism was especially discriminated against, and in the 17th century the Massachusetts Bay Colony had a law banning Quakers from entering the colony. After Mary Dyer, a Quaker, defied this law many times, she was hanged for her beliefs. In Iran, it is the Baha’i that are persecuted the most, and in Saudi Arabia it is the Shia.

In all three societies, it seems like the theocracies use religion as a justification to maintain political power. In all three societies, if one were to criticize the government, one could get arrested for blasphemy against the state religion. This makes sense, since a theocracy represents God, and thus criticizing the government would be criticizing God.

Finally, private life is dominated by religion in each society. In 17th century Massachusetts, ...

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Salem Theocracy vs. Modern Theocracies (The Crucible). (2012, August 31). Retrieved January 13, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Salem-Theocracy-vs-Modern-Theocracies-Crucible/101406

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"Salem Theocracy vs. Modern Theocracies (The Crucible)." Essayworld.com. August 31, 2012. Accessed January 13, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Salem-Theocracy-vs-Modern-Theocracies-Crucible/101406.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 8/31/2012 07:50:21 PM
Submitted By: crepplin169
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 419
Pages: 2

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