Aquinas was greatly influenced by Aristotle. He suggested that faith and reason are complementary rather than contradictory, and that political authority comes from God. Aquinas, like others before and after, also believed there were opportunities for “just war”, even though that seems contrary to religious teachings.
Though Augustine was not baptized into the Church until his later years, his views on religion and government are influential as to how this relationship should exist. He also believed the Bible should not be literally interpreted if it diverges from science, though argued politics and religion cannot be separated because the state is rooted in sin.
Separation of Church and State is a tenet of American Government. Discuss how Augustine and Aquinas might view the current relationship between the government and religion.
