The Reign of Calvin

Ann pointed out this article in the KC Star that reports on the 500th anniversary of the birth of influential theologian John Calvin. In it the article reports:

Among other reforms, Calvin drew up an extensive catalog of austere rules of morality. These ranged from bans on swearing, gambling and fornication to a strict no to dancing, even at weddings. Unexcused absence from worship service was penalized. Adultery and homosexuality could draw severe sentences, even death.

Curious guy that I am I did a some checking around and found that Calvin was very influential in mid-sixteenth century Geneva Switzerland. Here are three clips from a book titled "John Calvin : his life, letters, and work" written by Hugh Y Reyburn:

From what I can tell Geneva was a pretty immoral city when Calvin arrived there. Initially the city rejected his influence but eventually the city leaders thought his ideas had merit and passed them into law. I think that his influence was good but maybe it went a bit too far.. much like the Puritans did in early America.

I find this story to be such an interesting one because I think that many modern day religious people would like to have someone like Calvin influencing the laws of civil governments. I wonder how much of Calvin's morality would be truly embraced by them.

I for one am not interested in belonging to a theocracy.. governments such as these usually tend to be somewhat overbearing and controlling. One need not look any further than the role of religion in middle east countries to see how far religious people can go when they are in control.

What do you think? Do you feel that religious leaders should have this kind of influence?