Alex Reich

Junior Theology

May 14, 2008

“What I Really Learned in Junior Morality Class”

 

Probably the biggest thing I learned about myself in this course is how little I know about religion. I had always considered myself extremely religious. During this course, however, I realized I didn’t know hardly anything about church teaching and, especially, morality. I had no concept of decision-making: I always had an answer for everything, I never considered all the options in doing anything. I only had one way of going about doing things and this course has taught me to consider all of the possibilities before making a decision and I feel that I am making more informed decisions about what I do.

The idea of concupiscence was major and very helpful to me. Concupiscence is the idea that one knows what is right and wrong for them, knows they should choose right, but they are predisposed to do what is not right for them (what is wrong). This speaks to me, especially regarding schoolwork. I know that I should get off of Facebook, I know that I should stop watching TV and go study, but I choose to keep watching more TV, which, usually, doesn’t gain me knowledge at all, rather than study and learn.

The example of LeDanian Tomlinson really spoke to me. Somebody so young so successful is somebody that I look up to, but he goes above and beyond just being successful. Tomlinson donates much of his time and effort to charity and that really speaks to me. If I were him, I would probably just keep working and make as much money as I possibly could in order to retire as early as I could. He, however, spends much of his free time working with his own and other charities. He even says that charity is more important to him than football. He says that people will remember a good play in football for a day or a week, but the needy that you help will remember you for the rest of their lives.

Although we are not completely finished watching, the Frontline episode about Heather Johnston, DeMarco Hayes, and Ms. Burton really touched me. I found this to be very fascinating. The dilemma about whether to pull the plug on life and let the people die with dignity or to keep persevering, hoping for a cure, is very difficult. The story that touched me the most was Heather’s, mostly because of her mother’s strength. She keeps hoping and persevering for her daughter to get a liver transplant and is so actively involved with everything that is going on. To see an innocent little girl in an almost vegetative state like that is very heart-wrenching. It really spoke to me because I know that if Heather were my sister or cousin I would have donated my liver just to save her, despite the cost and I saw how the doctors will not allow that risk to be made. I can now understand the doctor’s dilemma and if, God forbid, I am put in a similar situation I will hopefully be more respectful and understanding when dealing with the doctor.

I am very glad that I took this course because it has made me realize a lot about myself. I realized that I was blind in my faith and I am learning a way to go about my everyday life, incorporating some kinds of Christian morality that I have learned in this course. I have learned many new ways of decision-making. something I have always struggled with.  I feel this class has helped me grow to learn and know who I am as a person and truly understand who I am and what I want in my life.