Journal 4Q2

Journal 4Q2 1. I see The Principle of Human Dignity at SLUH. At SLUH teachers, faculty, etc., stress the idea that every person and their property deserve respect. we are taught to stand up for each other as brothers. Whether it is a "nerd" or "loser" we are taught to protect them and love them as equals. A great example of this is Mr. Clark's usual speech about respecting all kinds of people. Another principle I see at SLUH is the Principle of Participation. At SLUH opportunities are generously granted to everyone. There are many clubs and groups available; all of which welcome prospects with open arms. It is very easy to not only participate in many activites at SLUH but to be accepted as well. One principle I don't see at SLUH is the Principle of Stewardship. Obviously, this doesn't apply to everyone, but too often our school is not properly taken care of by students. We often hear of vandalism and theft. In addition, Mr. Clark must nag students to pick up trash in the halls. I believe that we should all strive to be model stewards. A principle that I don't see in our country in the Principle of the Common Good. It seems that in this era most people are worried only about themselves. Again, this does not apple to everyone, but so many people are willing to trample over others in order to make personal gain. In addition, many people are not even given the chance to succeed. Opportunities are available to some but not to others in many cases. We need to work to give all people the opportunity to succeed and have a successful life.

3. subsidiarity. The first thing from this section that I want to remember is the role of women talked about in our textbook. I find that today women are often, at least partially, discriminated against. Many men view women as inferior or worthless. Many men also view women as objects for sexual pleasure. Jesus taught that women should no longer be dominated by men and that they are equals. I think this is important to remember in our sometimes morally confused world.

The second thing I want to remember from this section is The Principle of Respect for Human Life. This principle states that life at every stage of development is sacred and deserves protection and respect. This is a very heated topic in today's scientific world. While most people agree that life should be protected at all stages, the true question is when does life really begin. While this may seem trivial, the stage at which life is accepted as "begun" decides when, or if, abortions should be legal. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any way for us to know for sure. I believe we must pray and use our best judgment to determine when something is truely living or not.

4. One question I have for myself is, Is total solidarity in today's world really possible, and how far should we push for solidarity?

The question of solidarity and protecting the common good is another big issue in today's work world. While many people believe that every person should be cared for and given equal opportunities, etc., it is often difficult to provide for each and every individual. At what point should we be happy with the status of the population as a whole? Would it be fair to take a more socialistic approach? Should others have to sacrifice what they have worked for in order to ensure the good of all people? If so, how much? I believe these are all difficult questions and should be considered when dealing with issues related to this topic.

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