The prophets seem to tolerate the state, but certainly as a junior partner in the work of making the world pleasing to God.
Today the state with empty talk of "democracy" has the upper hand, and even religious teachings rather cede territory probably inadvertently. For example, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, English translation says
Now, I am no Latin scholar, but I know Civitas is not "The State." And I understand there are differences between Roman Latin and Church Latin. One might tendentiously, or sloppily make that translation, but "polity" might make a better translation, since the root of civitas is "people coming together" under one roof, with the implication of wider options, as opposed to our modern notion of the State. Civitas is about the person, not the corporate entity. I don't think anyone reading the Latin would think of say USA when reading Civitas.
Also, civitas is often in the context of gravitas, pietas, dignitas, virtus, decidedly religious imperatives of the individual in society.
Everywhere else the Catechism is careful to be not too specific as to the nature and form of "authority." But here the translators go for a word that is too far removed from the original.
Also, note that this assertion offers no citation of precedent of the Church ever having taught such a thing, in any language. So it seems to be a rather specious note, badly translated.
There is at the same time wonderful secular essays on the state, here is a good short list or readings...
Please feel free to share this post with three of your friends.
Today the state with empty talk of "democracy" has the upper hand, and even religious teachings rather cede territory probably inadvertently. For example, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, English translation says
1882 Certain societies, such as the family and the state, correspond moredirectly to the nature of man; they are necessary to him. ...Well, this struck me as so very wrong, icky even, that I went to the original, in Latin:
1882 Quaedam societates, sicut familia et civitas, naturae hominis immediatius correspondent. Ei sunt necessariae. |
Now, I am no Latin scholar, but I know Civitas is not "The State." And I understand there are differences between Roman Latin and Church Latin. One might tendentiously, or sloppily make that translation, but "polity" might make a better translation, since the root of civitas is "people coming together" under one roof, with the implication of wider options, as opposed to our modern notion of the State. Civitas is about the person, not the corporate entity. I don't think anyone reading the Latin would think of say USA when reading Civitas.
Also, civitas is often in the context of gravitas, pietas, dignitas, virtus, decidedly religious imperatives of the individual in society.
Everywhere else the Catechism is careful to be not too specific as to the nature and form of "authority." But here the translators go for a word that is too far removed from the original.
Also, note that this assertion offers no citation of precedent of the Church ever having taught such a thing, in any language. So it seems to be a rather specious note, badly translated.
There is at the same time wonderful secular essays on the state, here is a good short list or readings...
Please feel free to share this post with three of your friends.
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