If This Goes On...

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If This Goes On... is a science fiction short story by Robert A. Heinlein. One of his "Future History" series, it recounts a future theocratic American society, ruled by "the Prophet", the successors of the backwoods preacher turned President and then dictator Nehemiah Scudder (previously mentioned in passing in stories such as Logic of Empire). As would be expected of a Heinlein story, various persecuted minorities (Freemasons, Mormons etc.) organise a rebellion leading to the eventual re-establishment of democracy.

This story includes the idea that modern American democracy as regards religion is balanced by the fact that while most religions believe themselves to be the "One True Faith" which everyone should be required to believe, each has to settle on the compromise of religious freedom to prevent somebody else's "One True Faith" from being forced on themselves. If one religion were able to get a voting majority, they very well might simply take over. This concept is also discussed briefly in Stranger In A Strange Land from the other perspective (before any such takeover).