Saint Augustine Quotes
Love God, then do what you will.
Augustine, Saint. Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Translated by H. Browne, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, edited by Philip Schaff, vol. 7, Christian Literature Company, 1888, p. 504.
The wording was rejected and the delegates insisted upon the original proposed language: “Well aware that Almighty God hath created the mind free …” This is a very important historical quotation because it shows that Henry and a few others wanted to make the society Christian centric, However, the majority insisted that it be non-sectarian. Many of the delegates rejecting the “Jesus Christ” language were themselves practicing Christians, but they were aware of the terrible religious wars and strife in Europe and between Christians and Muslims as well as the persecution of Jews, Quakers, and other sects; they did not want that in America so they rejected the idea of an established Christian Church or culture.
This point of theology is not universally held even amongst Christians. The Spanish Inquisition and much of the Roman Catholic Church in earlier times believed that it was their duty to prevent people from sinning and were opposed to allowing people free choice in moral matters. There are a few Protestant Fundamentalists who feel that way even today, as does much of Islam.
This anarchist vision of religion in the state is that of America with its first amendment, The reason that religion was still an issue for American Anarchists were that at the time and earlier, community norms and customs throughout the country dominated life and the First Amendment separation of church and state was commonly transgressed with few citizens willing to stand up against the community majority and force the issue in courts or in the political arena. That changed in the remainder of the 20th century and while there still are violations, they are relatively few in the 21st century.
Augustine of Hippo, also known as Saint Augustine, was a theologian, philosopher, and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. His writings influenced the development of Western philosophy and Western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. His many important works include The City of God, On Christian Doctrine, and Confessions.
