Religion and Politics, Politics theorists ; St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas - İngilizce- Zamansız Tartışma Platform

ASAKİRİ · 04-09-08, 05:55 Çevrimdışı

Introduction

Humankind have some religions and beliefs and these religions and beliefs had some

unobjectionable rules and orders. Most of religions want to intervene to earthly life. Like

Christianity, Islam, Jewishness ( Judaism)… Therefore, religions are related to with politics.

In state government, decision-making, likely interpretation of political affairs. Therefore,

religion related to with politics. Some authority of the state use the religion for to maintain

and govern the state. Some authority use the religion for own interests. They aim earthly or

secular things. If necessary given an example, ‘Holy Roman Empire’ is an obvious example

And it governed by Church. I will explain The Church-state relations according to St.Thomas

Aquinas and St. Augustine, Politics process and affairs, relations of ruler and the religion

(church) and contemporary religious constitutional changes.

St. Augustine and St.Thomas Aquinas were philosophers especially in religious

dimension of political Theory. They were also political theorists in ancient time.St.

Augustine was a bishop. St.Thomas Aquinas, the biggest political theorist in the Middle Age.

St. Augustine has been given some know ledges about human nature, political society, the

church, and social ethics. St. Thomas Aquinas has been given some know ledges about human

nature, political society, kingship and social ethics. They give know ledges almost same the

under topics but they give topics related with government (Kingship) and religion. These

philosophers define authority which church should be dominant on the society. On the other

hand, political theory describes which man is a political and social animal and they create

societies, states, governmental structures. Besides, states had some rules for society’s

regularity and also states need some law rules.

Actually, justice concept is important for prevalence of state. They supported that state

should be dependent the church because they believe, church-state guarantee happiness of

people. In middle age, most of states governed by the church.

Religion, politics and Human Being

Most of all people had belief and religion in ancient. Various religions and beliefs give

to people some reward and avoidance about the afterlife. However, religion is not only related

with afterlife. It regulates individual, society and state according to religious rules. Medieval

thoughts and religious rules of Christianity were mixed. Thus, there was consisted a new life

style. After this, Middle age Europe’s life style had changed and its intellectual approach

appeared as life style of Christianity. God sent the prophet Jesus as a saviour on the earth.

This image shaped like belief with church doctrine as God-Devil or godly-earthly dilemma.

However, in this understanding, human did not a place in church autocracy and he or she was

contented with individual beliefs. In this frame, Middle age’s dogmas did not accept by the

Political authority. After that, this process changed and church, political empire and

Princedoms dilemma have been occurred differential sections in social life. Therefore, church

prevented political authorities as religious authority. However, Big Constantine accepted the

Christianity as a Christian religious state.

Likewise, “Religion, the conscious reflection of the constitution of order in nature and

society, is one of the oldest institutions of humankind. Politics, the art and science of

government, has a narrower scope and is not of the same antiquity. At the fundamental level,

politics subsist in religion. The reflection of the act of foundation of political order in

consciousness is pure religion; and political action merges with religion to the extent that it

approaches the foundation of order.”

Church and State In Understanding of St. Augustine

St. Augustine was a bishop of the Catholic Church and Christian political theorist. He

sees important the Christianity, especially in politics. He says there are dilemmas that

Christian individual’s life. These dilemmas are like Political dilemma. Therefore; people

separate two species according to St. Augustine. Besides, people have dual nature and they

choose two life shapes. St. Augustine calls these life shapes as ‘City’and according to him

there are two cities. These two Cities ( Dual Nature) lead him and he describes two Cities as

The City of Man and the City of God. Actually these consist from two loves which earthly

loves and godly loves. The City of Man reflects or represents all of regimes and governments

on the world. The City of God reflects or represents full (perfect) justice and peace of God’s

Heavenly Kingdom. On the contrary, in City of Man, peace and justice are not perfect (full).

The City of God comprises external, perfect peace, justice, humility, poverty, love etc.

According to St. Augustine, Church was very important for maintaining of peace and justice

on the society. So, If City of God represent especially in government, love and peace

extremely was being protected. However, world’s name has been changed. World had

obtained a new name which ‘World of Power’ so greed, sin, immorality came and humility,

love and fear of God, love, peace, justice, decency, morality disappeared. Church advises

justice, peace, morality and it should interpret some events and rules. Church believes that

come power and authority from God. And Church interprets the world and Church is

representative of God over the world. Also, Church advises the state and its interpreter. Most

superior authority is God, following structure and authority is Church, intermediary structure

is state or government. Church was representative of God and it focuses state and the world.

Also, Church should advise secular or earthly affairs and matters even political affairs.

Religion and state relations collapsed and raised to countries even empires. Constantine

empire, Ottoman empire etc. “In the beginning of the fourth century when the

Emperor Constantine, fighting for control of the Western Empire, attributed his victory in a

decisive battle to the intervention of the Christian God.”

Classical authors think justice, moral or virtue is essences of the state. In ancient

time, Greek religion was actually state religion. Therefore, there were some religious art

works and were connected to state. Augustine’s thoughts state and church were different

sections. Between Classical views and Medieval began to be separated clearly. Separation of

Church and state became clear. The state provides some necessary things for following of

eternal salvation. Church aims the immortality (immortal soul) for people’ life. The church

does not mind purposes of state. The Church affects political outcomes of the state.

Firstly, Christianity was entered into the political order with enmity. For St.

Augustine, state functions were negative. Peace was outside removed from the true peace

of heavenly kingdom. He minded conflicts and matters of war between the states. Especially,

Eastern empire (Byzantium) survived more than one thousands years till collapse of

Constantinople. In middle age, agricultural and economic activities were under the control of

Lords and there was lack of central authority. The church utilized from these conditions

because it was unity which top organization. Really, the church is dominant over the whole

Europe. Especially, the church was leading medieval political opinion. After this, the church

was became more powerful and influential. Especially, head of the church was effective on

The emperor. After that, Church began to exist in the state and empire changed or

tergiversated and they accepted the Christian religion. Alike, we see the conversion or

proselyte of Constantine and this empire became mixed church and state. After this,

St.Augustine gave up his from Classical political theory’s thoughts. State can preserve

triangle of religion, moral and virtue. Although the sinful and rebel world, it can keep the

order easily. According to “St. Augustine; the king or emperor is appointed by God and rules

in order to keep peace as part of the Divine plan..”

Church and State In Understanding of St. Thomas Aquinas

The state is only universal empire that God makes last rules and God ruler. He

believes hierarchy of laws and he said Divine law encompasses whole other laws. Varieties of

Laws provide the authority which universe’s laws. Law of universe determines three kinds

with hierarchical structure of law. These laws are first Divine Law, second Natural Law, third

Human Law. Initially, Divine Law encompasses the other laws and it is an Eternal Law.

Eternal Law is controlling of universe by God. Divine law is perfect and unchangeable law.

Secondly, Natural Law is under the Divine Law. It is explanation and direction of natural

events such as planets, sun, seasons, animals etc. “Thomas’s famous definition of Natural

Law is ‘participation of the eternal law in the rational creature’.”

Thomas Aquinas adds to political theory that political affairs is a positive role for the

state. If it corresponds man’s nature and law. Church is necessary for the daily life and

salvation. Thomas Aquinas refers is the church superior than the state. According to St.

Thomas Aquinas, Divine Law and Natural Law interpret by the church and state only enforce

the Human Law under the control and advice of the church. Aim of state served common

good by prevented evil or vice. State should want to guidance of the church. Human law

protect private property rights of people and it performs to this with advice of the church. St.

Thomas Aquinas considers holy or divine the Monarchy because he accepts; the whole is one

thing and Monarchy is one thing so government must serve the whole society. Monarchy can

achieve to this perfectly because Thomas Aquinas divided political regimes and order as

served the common good of society and served the ruler own interest just-unjust terms. The

best regime or polity is logic of the Monarchy. Thomas Aquinas refers one ruler should be in

a country. These ruler should be Christian king and they should generate or create their

politics for guidance of the church. Thomas Aquinas evaluates according to Just and Unjust.

Meanwhile, Unjust king is Tyrant or worst ruler.

St. Thomas Aquinas was different from St. Augustine as man which these distinctions

called a supernatural end and natural end. This difference is important because it has some

reflections in morality. It is fundament between the supernatural and natural virtues and

politics. It is fundament distinction between the ends of state and the church and decides

relations in existing two societies. Supernatural ends and natural ends should exist the

societies but these ends or virtues may not to be attuned to orders. One of them supernatural,

the other that natural (pure nature). Supernatural end; human created by the God, for perfect

happiness, in the next life obtainable God but God is unattainable as alone. Besides,

Augustinianism has been viewed as related to an attitude of rejection of politics, and to

attempts to create a papal world-state . Thomas Aquinas adds more systematic facts and

terms. “Saint Thomas Aquinas that a systematic attempt is made to relate the Christian

message to classical social, political, and legal thought in a philosophical way.” There were

Similarities between St. Augustine’s City of God and St. Thomas Aquinas’s Divine Law.

In Conclusion

In ancient time, Papal States had happened over the lands and these lands were

protecting by some emperors or kings. For example; some ruler or king (head of state) wants

to keep under the control and his dominance all of Catholics or Protestants and head of state

(king of France) desired to gain the sympathy in Christendom. In ancient time, popes used

kings or rulers’ political authority for to serve own interest about religion. Conquest Istanbul

and East empire. Recently, Church had became effective especially in wars such as USA

made political war the Iraq in effect of religion. (Bush doctrine).Thomas Aquinas was

leading to law systems with religion interpretations. Also, Conquest of the Istanbul was based

on religion belief and its reflection to the politics. Some states still continue as religious states

such as Israel, Bush government in USA, Iran, Vatican..

Nowadays, also religious organizations contributed in high proportion in the

United States. These are religious organizations provide great benefits over the public.

Catholic Charities, The united Jewish Communities, Organizations of Islamic aid. and these organizations work goodly. They aid to poor people, may be provide a house, go to some countries in he natural disasters (Tsunami and earthquake) and they establish good connections that this aid their state for the better politics. Religious organizations contribute political affairs between the two states neighbourly.

In ancient time, there might not exist proper religious organizations but there were some religious groups. These groups have played an important role in the political process on the publics. Especially, great empires have effected by the church. Nowadays, religion still was effective on the states and societies. Religion has placed in some political affairs as little or much.

References

Arjamad, A. S.(1993). The Political Dimensions of Religion.New York: Suny Press.

Çalışlar, A.(1997). Felsefe Sözlüğü[Dictionary of Philosophy]. Istanbul: Cem
Publishing

Çotuksöken, B. & Babur, S.(1989). Ortaçağda Felsefe[Medieval Philosophy].Kabalcı
Publishing

Dorff, H. R. The Journal of Politics, Vol. 57, No. 4 (Nov., 1995)

Ehler, Z. S & Morrall, B. J.(1988). Church and State Through the
Centuries.Biblo & Tannen Publishers

Fortin, L. E.(1996). Classical Christianity and the Political Order. Rowman &
Littlefield publishers

Hamilton, M.(2005). God vs. The Gavel religion and The Rule of Law.Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aquinas/

http://www.academical.org/dergi/MAKA...s9besirli1.htm

http://www.humanities.mq.edu.au/Ockh...dPolitics.html

http://www.iep.utm.edu/a/aquinas.htm

Klosko, G.(1994). History of Political Theory an Introduction. Vol.1. Ancient and
Medieval political Theory. Orlando: University of Virginia

Pevehouse, C. J. & Goldstem, S. J.(2006). InternationalRelations. London:
Pearson International Edition (Longman).

Pottenger, R. J.(1989). The Political Theory of Liberation Theology.New York: Suny
Press.

Sigmund, E. P.(1988). St.Thomas Aquinas on Politics and Ethics. New York:
Norton Critical Edition

Sheldon, W.G.(1991). The History of Political Theory Ancient Greece to Modern
America.U.S.A: American University Studies.

Weber, M.(2003). The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism.Mineola,
New York: Dover Publications

References-II

Williams, H.(1992). International Relations in Political Theory. Philadelphia: Open
University Press

Wilson, F. J.(1986). Church and State in America. Greenwood press

04-09-08, 05:55 Çevrimdışı	#1
Doçent ASAKİRİ Huzur Pınarı Genel Mesajlar: 3.205 Teşekkür etti: 1.417 Teşekkür edildi: 1.879 RepForum Gücü: 51 Forum Puanı:20229 Ruhsal Durumum:	Religion and Politics, Politics theorists ; St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas Introduction Humankind have some religions and beliefs and these religions and beliefs had some unobjectionable rules and orders. Most of religions want to intervene to earthly life. Like Christianity, Islam, Jewishness ( Judaism)… Therefore, religions are related to with politics. In state government, decision-making, likely interpretation of political affairs. Therefore, religion related to with politics. Some authority of the state use the religion for to maintain and govern the state. Some authority use the religion for own interests. They aim earthly or secular things. If necessary given an example, ‘Holy Roman Empire’ is an obvious example And it governed by Church. I will explain The Church-state relations according to St.Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine, Politics process and affairs, relations of ruler and the religion (church) and contemporary religious constitutional changes. St. Augustine and St.Thomas Aquinas were philosophers especially in religious dimension of political Theory. They were also political theorists in ancient time.St. Augustine was a bishop. St.Thomas Aquinas, the biggest political theorist in the Middle Age. St. Augustine has been given some know ledges about human nature, political society, the church, and social ethics. St. Thomas Aquinas has been given some know ledges about human nature, political society, kingship and social ethics. They give know ledges almost same the under topics but they give topics related with government (Kingship) and religion. These philosophers define authority which church should be dominant on the society. On the other hand, political theory describes which man is a political and social animal and they create societies, states, governmental structures. Besides, states had some rules for society’s regularity and also states need some law rules. Actually, justice concept is important for prevalence of state. They supported that state should be dependent the church because they believe, church-state guarantee happiness of people. In middle age, most of states governed by the church. Religion, politics and Human Being Most of all people had belief and religion in ancient. Various religions and beliefs give to people some reward and avoidance about the afterlife. However, religion is not only related with afterlife. It regulates individual, society and state according to religious rules. Medieval thoughts and religious rules of Christianity were mixed. Thus, there was consisted a new life style. After this, Middle age Europe’s life style had changed and its intellectual approach appeared as life style of Christianity. God sent the prophet Jesus as a saviour on the earth. This image shaped like belief with church doctrine as God-Devil or godly-earthly dilemma. However, in this understanding, human did not a place in church autocracy and he or she was contented with individual beliefs. In this frame, Middle age’s dogmas did not accept by the Political authority. After that, this process changed and church, political empire and Princedoms dilemma have been occurred differential sections in social life. Therefore, church prevented political authorities as religious authority. However, Big Constantine accepted the Christianity as a Christian religious state. Likewise, “Religion, the conscious reflection of the constitution of order in nature and society, is one of the oldest institutions of humankind. Politics, the art and science of government, has a narrower scope and is not of the same antiquity. At the fundamental level, politics subsist in religion. The reflection of the act of foundation of political order in consciousness is pure religion; and political action merges with religion to the extent that it approaches the foundation of order.” Church and State In Understanding of St. Augustine St. Augustine was a bishop of the Catholic Church and Christian political theorist. He sees important the Christianity, especially in politics. He says there are dilemmas that Christian individual’s life. These dilemmas are like Political dilemma. Therefore; people separate two species according to St. Augustine. Besides, people have dual nature and they choose two life shapes. St. Augustine calls these life shapes as ‘City’and according to him there are two cities. These two Cities ( Dual Nature) lead him and he describes two Cities as The City of Man and the City of God. Actually these consist from two loves which earthly loves and godly loves. The City of Man reflects or represents all of regimes and governments on the world. The City of God reflects or represents full (perfect) justice and peace of God’s Heavenly Kingdom. On the contrary, in City of Man, peace and justice are not perfect (full). The City of God comprises external, perfect peace, justice, humility, poverty, love etc. According to St. Augustine, Church was very important for maintaining of peace and justice on the society. So, If City of God represent especially in government, love and peace extremely was being protected. However, world’s name has been changed. World had obtained a new name which ‘World of Power’ so greed, sin, immorality came and humility, love and fear of God, love, peace, justice, decency, morality disappeared. Church advises justice, peace, morality and it should interpret some events and rules. Church believes that come power and authority from God. And Church interprets the world and Church is representative of God over the world. Also, Church advises the state and its interpreter. Most superior authority is God, following structure and authority is Church, intermediary structure is state or government. Church was representative of God and it focuses state and the world. Also, Church should advise secular or earthly affairs and matters even political affairs. Religion and state relations collapsed and raised to countries even empires. Constantine empire, Ottoman empire etc. “In the beginning of the fourth century when the Emperor Constantine, fighting for control of the Western Empire, attributed his victory in a decisive battle to the intervention of the Christian God.” Classical authors think justice, moral or virtue is essences of the state. In ancient time, Greek religion was actually state religion. Therefore, there were some religious art works and were connected to state. Augustine’s thoughts state and church were different sections. Between Classical views and Medieval began to be separated clearly. Separation of Church and state became clear. The state provides some necessary things for following of eternal salvation. Church aims the immortality (immortal soul) for people’ life. The church does not mind purposes of state. The Church affects political outcomes of the state. Firstly, Christianity was entered into the political order with enmity. For St. Augustine, state functions were negative. Peace was outside removed from the true peace of heavenly kingdom. He minded conflicts and matters of war between the states. Especially, Eastern empire (Byzantium) survived more than one thousands years till collapse of Constantinople. In middle age, agricultural and economic activities were under the control of Lords and there was lack of central authority. The church utilized from these conditions because it was unity which top organization. Really, the church is dominant over the whole Europe. Especially, the church was leading medieval political opinion. After this, the church was became more powerful and influential. Especially, head of the church was effective on The emperor. After that, Church began to exist in the state and empire changed or tergiversated and they accepted the Christian religion. Alike, we see the conversion or proselyte of Constantine and this empire became mixed church and state. After this, St.Augustine gave up his from Classical political theory’s thoughts. State can preserve triangle of religion, moral and virtue. Although the sinful and rebel world, it can keep the order easily. According to “St. Augustine; the king or emperor is appointed by God and rules in order to keep peace as part of the Divine plan..” Church and State In Understanding of St. Thomas Aquinas The state is only universal empire that God makes last rules and God ruler. He believes hierarchy of laws and he said Divine law encompasses whole other laws. Varieties of Laws provide the authority which universe’s laws. Law of universe determines three kinds with hierarchical structure of law. These laws are first Divine Law, second Natural Law, third Human Law. Initially, Divine Law encompasses the other laws and it is an Eternal Law. Eternal Law is controlling of universe by God. Divine law is perfect and unchangeable law. Secondly, Natural Law is under the Divine Law. It is explanation and direction of natural events such as planets, sun, seasons, animals etc. “Thomas’s famous definition of Natural Law is ‘participation of the eternal law in the rational creature’.” Thomas Aquinas adds to political theory that political affairs is a positive role for the state. If it corresponds man’s nature and law. Church is necessary for the daily life and salvation. Thomas Aquinas refers is the church superior than the state. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, Divine Law and Natural Law interpret by the church and state only enforce the Human Law under the control and advice of the church. Aim of state served common good by prevented evil or vice. State should want to guidance of the church. Human law protect private property rights of people and it performs to this with advice of the church. St. Thomas Aquinas considers holy or divine the Monarchy because he accepts; the whole is one thing and Monarchy is one thing so government must serve the whole society. Monarchy can achieve to this perfectly because Thomas Aquinas divided political regimes and order as served the common good of society and served the ruler own interest just-unjust terms. The best regime or polity is logic of the Monarchy. Thomas Aquinas refers one ruler should be in a country. These ruler should be Christian king and they should generate or create their politics for guidance of the church. Thomas Aquinas evaluates according to Just and Unjust. Meanwhile, Unjust king is Tyrant or worst ruler. St. Thomas Aquinas was different from St. Augustine as man which these distinctions called a supernatural end and natural end. This difference is important because it has some reflections in morality. It is fundament between the supernatural and natural virtues and politics. It is fundament distinction between the ends of state and the church and decides relations in existing two societies. Supernatural ends and natural ends should exist the societies but these ends or virtues may not to be attuned to orders. One of them supernatural, the other that natural (pure nature). Supernatural end; human created by the God, for perfect happiness, in the next life obtainable God but God is unattainable as alone. Besides, Augustinianism has been viewed as related to an attitude of rejection of politics, and to attempts to create a papal world-state . Thomas Aquinas adds more systematic facts and terms. “Saint Thomas Aquinas that a systematic attempt is made to relate the Christian message to classical social, political, and legal thought in a philosophical way.” There were Similarities between St. Augustine’s City of God and St. Thomas Aquinas’s Divine Law. In Conclusion In ancient time, Papal States had happened over the lands and these lands were protecting by some emperors or kings. For example; some ruler or king (head of state) wants to keep under the control and his dominance all of Catholics or Protestants and head of state (king of France) desired to gain the sympathy in Christendom. In ancient time, popes used kings or rulers’ political authority for to serve own interest about religion. Conquest Istanbul and East empire. Recently, Church had became effective especially in wars such as USA made political war the Iraq in effect of religion. (Bush doctrine).Thomas Aquinas was leading to law systems with religion interpretations. Also, Conquest of the Istanbul was based on religion belief and its reflection to the politics. Some states still continue as religious states such as Israel, Bush government in USA, Iran, Vatican.. Nowadays, also religious organizations contributed in high proportion in the United States. These are religious organizations provide great benefits over the public. Catholic Charities, The united Jewish Communities, Organizations of Islamic aid. and these organizations work goodly. They aid to poor people, may be provide a house, go to some countries in he natural disasters (Tsunami and earthquake) and they establish good connections that this aid their state for the better politics. Religious organizations contribute political affairs between the two states neighbourly. In ancient time, there might not exist proper religious organizations but there were some religious groups. These groups have played an important role in the political process on the publics. Especially, great empires have effected by the church. Nowadays, religion still was effective on the states and societies. Religion has placed in some political affairs as little or much. References Arjamad, A. S.(1993). The Political Dimensions of Religion.New York: Suny Press. Çalışlar, A.(1997). Felsefe Sözlüğü[Dictionary of Philosophy]. Istanbul: Cem Publishing Çotuksöken, B. & Babur, S.(1989). Ortaçağda Felsefe[Medieval Philosophy].Kabalcı Publishing Dorff, H. R. The Journal of Politics, Vol. 57, No. 4 (Nov., 1995) Ehler, Z. S & Morrall, B. J.(1988). Church and State Through the Centuries.Biblo & Tannen Publishers Fortin, L. E.(1996). Classical Christianity and the Political Order. Rowman & Littlefield publishers Hamilton, M.(2005). God vs. The Gavel religion and The Rule of Law.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aquinas/ http://www.academical.org/dergi/MAKA...s9besirli1.htm http://www.humanities.mq.edu.au/Ockh...dPolitics.html http://www.iep.utm.edu/a/aquinas.htm Klosko, G.(1994). History of Political Theory an Introduction. Vol.1. Ancient and Medieval political Theory. Orlando: University of Virginia Pevehouse, C. J. & Goldstem, S. J.(2006). InternationalRelations. London: Pearson International Edition (Longman). Pottenger, R. J.(1989). The Political Theory of Liberation Theology.New York: Suny Press. Sigmund, E. P.(1988). St.Thomas Aquinas on Politics and Ethics. New York: Norton Critical Edition Sheldon, W.G.(1991). The History of Political Theory Ancient Greece to Modern America.U.S.A: American University Studies. Weber, M.(2003). The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism.Mineola, New York: Dover Publications References-II Williams, H.(1992). International Relations in Political Theory. Philadelphia: Open University Press Wilson, F. J.(1986). Church and State in America. Greenwood press . . . . yokuz artık elele kayboluyoruz sizlere hayırlı paylaşımlar.. A.E.O .

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