0115 The eighth primer introduces the concepts of infrasovereign and sovereign religions.  The nomenclature is ambiguous.  Perhaps, one day, the ambiguity will be clarified.

But, remember, words are slippery beings.

0116 Technically, infrasovereign religions are institutions_3aC that seek sovereign power_3bC in order to achieve their organizational objects_2aC.

Theoretically, all institutions_3aC belong to the content_a level of the society_C tier.  Every institution_3aC stands below the sovereign_3bC.  Plus, some of these institutions_3aC are obviously religious.  But, they do not seek sovereign power_3bC in order to implement their organizational objectives_2aC.  Until, of course, they change their minds.

Can a not infrasovereign religion_aC become an infrasovereign religion merely by deciding to pursue sovereign power_3bC?

Yes, plus, an institution_3aC that self-identifies as “not religious” may become an infrasovereign religion by pursuing sovereign power_3bC.

Yes, there is terminological ambiguity.

0117 The Reformation (around 1500 to 1550 AD) consists of Christian factions, breaking away from a historical unity (the Catholic Church) filled with um… factions.  The act of breaking away constitutes an organizational object_2aC.  So, break-away factions appeal to sovereign authorities_3bC in order to establish laws_2bC that allow the new order_1bC.  These factions gain the label, “religions”.

0118 The Reformation shows that sovereign power_3bC virtually situates institutions_3aC, including the new factions_3aC.  Plus, the new factions_3aC (as well as the old factions_3aC that do not break away) pursue sovereign power_3bCin order to implement their organizational objectives_2aC.

Here is a picture of the first two levels of the society_C tier.

0119 What does this imply?

Infrasovereign and sovereign religions confound order_1bC with righteousness_1aC.

Religions that are not infrasovereign do not.

0120 Sovereign power_3bC allows an institution_3aC to impose its object^org_2aC as order_1bC upon those outside the institution_3aC.

What does this lead to?

Are those outside the institution_3aC not righteous_1aC?

0121 America’s (il)liberal big government legal system (1950 to present) offers an example.  The discussion is difficult, because the meanings of spoken words twist in the drama of an institution_3aC… or rather, an infrasovereign religion_3aC,… justifying its acquisition of legal authority_2bC.

Nevertheless, the example in primer eight raises a weirdly foundational question.

Is sexual orientation identical to race?

0122 The modern (il)liberal says “yes”, because both are genetically determined.

The Christian says “no”, because, on one hand, discrimination based on race is historically conditioned.  American slavery and Jim Crow laws are extrinsic to the person.  On the other hand, sexual orientation is personally conditioned.  Homosexual activity involves personal choice.  These choices are intrinsic to the person.

0123 The clash of these two worldviews provides a frame for appreciating how both homosexual activists and Christian believers operate as religions.  The former is an infrasovereign religion.  The latter is not.