A THOMISTIC INTERPRETATION OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR NATIONAL UNITY

Abstract

This paper contends that theological education promotes national unity when it recognizes the need to construct a notion of ‗the common good‘ as the basis of national unity. It examines the human person as a rational, relational, and religious being whose rationality provides a common denominator with other rational beings of different persuasions. It also examines the notion of the common good as one associated with higher purposes and a virtuous life, which can only be realized in an ideal political community. Utilizing the analytic and synthetic methods, it draws from Thomas Aquinas‘ Natural Law tradition to present a compatibilist notion of faith and reason as necessary tools for the identification of the common good, which ultimately leads to due order in society. Due order is maintained in a multi- religious entity where members of each religion are equipped with the philosophical tool of rationality which encourages inter-faith dialogues, thus leading to an effective management of tensions and conflicts and an enthronement of peaceful coexistence.