Question 3 Section 2. How faith relates to religion The reasoning in the second section is as follows. It seems that faith is no different from religion. 1. For, as Augustine says in the Enchiridion, 18 God is to be worshipped by faith, hope, and love. But the worship of God is an act of religion, as is evident from the definition of Tullius [Cicero], who says 19 that " religion is that by which that higher nature, which is called divine, is worshipped and ritualized." Therefore, faith refers to religion. 2. In addition, Augustine says in his book On True Religion, 20 that the true religion is that " by which we worship the one God and come to know Him with the purest piety." But the knowledge of God belongs to faith. Therefore, faith is encompassed by religion. 3. In addition, offering sacrifices to God is an act of religion. But this is true of faith, since, as Augustine says in the Fifth Book of the City of God, 21"every work that we do out of a desire to be in holy communion with God is a true sacrifice." But man's first connection with God is through faith. Faith, therefore, belongs primarily to religion. 4. Moreover, it is written (Jn 4: 24): God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth; therefore it is more correct to worship God by offering him not the body, but the mind. But in faith, reason is offered to Him, since reason is completely subordinate, agreeing with what It is told. Faith, therefore, belongs primarily to religion. 5. Furthermore, any virtue of which God is the object is a theological virtue. But the object of religion is God: indeed, religion is nothing but what is due 18. Enchir., 3. 19. Rhet., II, 53. 20. De vera relig., 1. 21. De civ. Dei, X, 6. page 206worship of God. It is therefore a theological virtue. But it seems to refer more to faith than to any other [theological virtue], since only those who are outside the faith are said to be outside the Christian religion. Therefore, it seems that religion is the ... Read more