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Objection 1: It would seem that religion is not one virtue.
Religion directs us to God, as stated above (Article 1). Now in
God there are three Persons; and also many attributes, which differ
at least logically from one another. Now a logical difference in the
object suffices for a difference of virtue, as stated above (Question
50, Article 2, ad 2). Therefore religion is not one virtue.
Objection 2: Further, of one virtue there is seemingly one act,
since habits are distinguished by their acts. Now there are many acts
of religion, for instance to worship, to serve, to vow, to pray, to
sacrifice and many such like. Therefore religion is not one virtue.
Objection 3: Further, adoration belongs to religion. Now
adoration is paid to images under one aspect, and under another aspect
to God Himself. Since, then, a difference of aspect distinguishes
virtues, it would seem that religion is not one virtue.
On the contrary, It is written (Eph. 4:5): "One God , one
faith." Now true religion professes faith in one God. Therefore
religion is one virtue.
I answer that, As stated above (FS, Question 54, Article
2, ad 1), habits are differentiated according to a different aspect
of the object. Now it belongs to religion to show reverence to one
God under one aspect, namely, as the first principle of the creation
and government of things. Wherefore He Himself says (Malach.
1:6): "If . . . I be a father, where is My honor?" For
it belongs to a father to beget and to govern. Therefore it is evident
that religion is one virtue.
Reply to Objection 1: The three Divine Persons are the one
principle of the creation and government of things, wherefore they are
served by one religion. The different aspects of the attributes concur
under the aspect of first principle, because God produces all things,
and governs them by the wisdom, will and power of His goodness.
Wherefore religion is one virtue.
Reply to Objection 2: By the one same act man both serves and
worships God, for worship regards the excellence of God, to Whom
reverence is due: while service regards the subjection of man who, by
his condition, is under an obligation of showing reverence to God.
To these two belong all acts ascribed to religion, because, by them
all, man bears witness to the Divine excellence and to his own
subjection to God, either by offering something to God, or by
assuming something Divine.
Reply to Objection 3: The worship of religion is paid to images,
not as considered in themselves, nor as things, but as images leading
us to God incarnate. Now movement to an image as image does not stop
at the image, but goes on to the thing it represents. Hence neither
"latria" nor the virtue of religion is differentiated by the fact that
religious worship is paid to the images of Christ.
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