Harper relies heavily on the social and political thought of
St. Augustine, as a future blog entry shall establish.[1] But in the current niqab debate Harper clearly
deviates from one of St. Augustine’s classic statements found in City of God:
While this Heavenly
City, therefore, is on pilgrimage in this world, she calls out citizens from
all nations and so collects a society of aliens, speaking all languages. She takes no account of any difference in
customs, laws, and institutions, by which the earthly peace is achieved and
preserved – not that she annuls or abolishes any of those, rather, she
maintains them and follows them (for whatever divergences there are among
diverse nations, those institutions have one single aim- earthly peace)
provided that no hindrance is presented to the religion which teaches that the
one supreme and true God is to be worshipped.
Thus even the Heavenly City in her pilgrimage here on earth makes use of
the earthly peace and defends and seeks compromise between human wills in
respect of the provisions relevant to the mortal nature of man, so far as may
be permitted without detriment to true religion and piety.[2]
Saint Augustine, City
of God, circa. A.D. 413-426
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