The very order of things created by God shows the unity of the world. For this world is called one by the unity of order, whereby some things are ordered to others. But whatever things come from God have relation of order to each other and to God Himself...... Hence it is necessary that all things should belong to one world. Therefore only those were able to assert the existence of many worlds who did not acknowledge any ordaining wisdom, but rather believed in chance; as did Democritus, who said that this world, besides an infinite number of other worlds, was make from a coming together of atoms.
From the Basic Writings of St. Thomas Aquinas
"Therefore only those were able to assert the existence of many worlds who did not acknowledge any ordaining wisdom, but rather believed in chance; as did Democritus, who said that this world, besides an infinite number of other worlds, was make from a coming together of atoms."
Is he saying Democritus could only make his claims based on chance because God was not factored in? Is Aquinas agreeing with Democritus general atomic theory?
Aquinas was considered a dangerous and radical thinker in his day.
He was saying, I think, that the whole cosmos should be considered as one world with one God and creator. The same laws and the same order apply to the whole as one. He was stating that chance does not account for the order that can be observed. If atoms come together it is because of or a result of that order. God cannot be left out of the equation when looking at creation.
With love,
Rev Dorris
When I flew to New York on American Airlines I noticed that next to the door was a large blue circle on the plane. Inside that circle where just two words: oneworld.
The pilots announced that the airline was part of the One World Association. Now this is a commercial venture of many airlines, but the message that stands out is clear. There is only one world.
Just a play on words went through my mind.
I am an American Unitarian flying on American airlines.
I am a Unitarian who promotes the One God and family.
American Airlines is promoting the same basic message with its oneworld association, just in a different manner.
With love,
Rev Dorris