Augustine's Influence on Western Politics.
From the beginning of Augustine's work entitled The City of God, I have perceived that Augustine believes that anything and everything that happens in our world happens because of God's will. He is the Supreme Being and while some might not choose to follow his will, those who do will be blessed. Now, what does Augustine's perspective have to do with Western Politics? I believe that it has a lot to do with Western Politics. When it comes to democracy, God has a major part in many facets of Democracy from the Declaration of Independence to minor affairs like testifying in a court of law. God is a fundamental part of our lives in a democratic society.
When I first read the question, the first thought that entered my head was the Declaration of Independence drafted by the Founding Fathers. The main part which mimics Augustine's view is the following:.
We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. (Burns 512).
Augustine's perspective basically is that God created everything on Earth and fundamental parts such as government should answer to him. This I believe was the same mentality that the Founding Fathers had. They wanted to create a society where all men were created equal under the Supreme Being of God because that would allow them to carry out God's work. Augustine's perspective of God is also influenced in our society when we go to court.
Anytime someone takes the stand in any kind of Court of Law, they first have to swear on the Bible before anything can proceed. God, just as Augustine believed is Supreme above anyone else. When one is taking the stand, they are not only being viewed by those in the courtroom but also but the eyes of God. They are basically being tested to see whether they will do the right and just thing which God would also do or take the other route which God wouldn't take.
