Ancestor Quote by Saint Augustine
“The customs of God's people and the institutions of our ancestors are to be considered as laws. And those who throw contempt on the customs of the Church ought to be punished as those who disobey the law of God.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: City of God, Book 4, c. 426 AD
The quote stresses that religious customs and ancestral traditions hold the authority of law, and disrespecting them warrants punishment akin to breaking divine law.
In simple terms: Religious customs are like laws and must be respected.
Key Takeaway
Respect and uphold sacred traditions.
Themes
religion
law
authority
tradition
Mood
solemn
reflective
Type
ethical
theological
When to use this quote
- church governance
- family traditions
- community rituals
- legal debates
Key Concepts
theology
social order
legalism
Questions to Reflect On
- Should sacred customs be enforced by law?
- How do we balance tradition with individual rights?
A Different Perspective
Enforcing religious conformity can conflict with personal freedoms.
![“The atom cannot disobey the law. Whether it is the mental or the physical atom, it must obey the law. "What is the use of [external restraint]?"” quote by Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6c6/swami-vivekananda-53_atoms_the-atom-cannot-disobey-the-law-whether_2069471.jpg)
![“It seems to me, and I am personally convinced, that the Church must never speak from a position of strength. [These are shocking words.] It ought not to be one of the forces influencing this or that state. The Church ought to be, if you will, just as powerless as God himself, which does not coerce…” quote by Anthony of Sourozh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef9/anthony-of-sourozh-50914_characteristics_it-seems-to-me-and-i-am-personally-convi_1558955.jpg)
