SLUH Junior Theology Course '07-'08
Faith and Morality...
First Semester Exam Essay
What have you really learned in this class?
An important idea that I want to remember from my junior Faith course is the concept I have derived from studying the story of The Blind Men and the Elephant. The story demonstrates how different people can see one thing in a whole variety of ways, with none of those ways being erroneous. This idea, which seems rather simple, had an impact on me because I was able to apply it to the question of how there can be so many different religious beliefs throughout the world when I believe there is only one true God. Put into context with the story, though, it is indeed possible. Each religion can be worshipping the same God, but through different means related to how God has been revealed to it in its own unique way. The fact that there are many different religions in the world definitely contributed to any doubt I have in God, so the valid explanation that The Blind Men and the Elephant provides for the various religions helped allay this factor of my doubt.
Another important idea I would like to remember from this course is one I found in watching The Mission. In the movie, both Father Gabriel and Father Rodrigo go against orders from their superior, Father Altamirano, a bishop representing Papal Authority, when they choose to stay with the natives on their mission and resist the handing over of them to become slaves. The two priests knowingly and purposefully go against the authority of the Church in order to stand by what they believe is morally right. I believe if I were in their shoes I would have done the same thing, because I also believe that it is what God would have wanted them to do; at the same time, though, I had believed we are always supposed to follow the teachings of the Church. What The Mission showed me, and what was later reinforced in class, was that the Church itself actually teaches that one should follow their conscience before all else. This is important for me because there are times, although not often, when I believe something the Church teaches is wrong, yet I also truly believe that God would stand by and agree with my decision. Now I know that if I am truly acting in accord with a well-informed conscience, the Church teaches that what I am doing is right.
A third important idea that I gained from this course is from Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.” Although many ideas can be derived from the allegory, the one that had the biggest impact on me was centered on the main character in the story. The man was freed from his bondage in the cave and allowed to leave the darkness and enter the light. Once he gained the wisdom of the world beyond the cave, he journeyed back down to the men still in the cave to share his enlightenment. In return, he was only ridiculed and laughed at by them. The man was willing to give up what had been shown to him in order to bring the truth to those he knew did not have it, and yet they completely rejected him (just like Socrates and the Athenian men). The reason I want to remember this is because I believe this–sacrificing oneself for the good of others, even if for nothing–is the basis of being a true hero, and I want to remember this quality so that I may strive to achieve it one day. Although many different humans have been like the man in the cave, the overall greatest and truest example is God Himself. Understanding this will help me be more like God and bring me closer to Him.
Back to My Junior Theology Homepage
Have some questions or suggestions? Email me at irishbooscoop@charter.net .
