The Ten Building Blocks of Catholic Moral Teaching

#1) The Principle of Human Dignity-- This is the bedrock priciple of Catholic social teaching. Every person, regardless of race, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, employment, or economic status, health, intelligence, or achievments. Given, that dignity, a human person is never a means, always an end. I believe everyone has natural human rights that need to be preserved and protected so I certainly agree with this one.

#2) The principle of Respect for Human Life-- Human life at every stage of development and decline is precious and therefore worthy of protection and respect. It is always wrong to directly attack innocent human life. The sacredness of human Life is part of any moral society. I feel that killing of any kind, (abortion, death penalty, euthanasia, and in wars) is wrong so I agree with this one.

#3) The Principle of Association--The centerpiece of society is family; family stability must always be protected and never undermined. By association with others in groups that foster growth and promote good, people achieve their fulfillment. With the growing rate of family problems, and new social problems that arise from them, I feel that the strength of families is vital to the growth of a community and I agree with this.

#4) The Priciple of Participation-- The human person has a right to not be shut out from participating in those institutions that are necessary for human fulfillment. I feel that people need the support of others in a group seeting in order to live a healthy and strong life, so I agree.

#5)  The Principle of Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable-- If the good of all, the common good, is to prevail, preferential protection must move toward those affected adversely by the absence of power and the presence of privation. Otherwise the balance needed to keep society in one piece will be broken to the detriment of the whole. Basically, the common good of society as a whole requires it. I feel that helping the poor and downtrodden helps societies in numerous ways and allows more people to become a contributing member to a community. Rather than being someone who has to be dealt with they can live independent lives.

#6) The Principle of Solidarity-- functions as a moral category that leads to choices that will promote and protect the common good. Choices are what lead to actions and encouraging people to make good moral judgements can only lead to equally moral actions.

#7) The Principle of Stewardship-- moral resposibility for the protection of our environment and the use of our own personal talents our personal health, and the use of our property. Our environment and our bodies are given to us by God and therefore we should give these things the repect they deserve in order to show God how thankful we are for these gifts. I agree.

#8) The Principle of Subsidiarity--A limit on government th no higher level of organization should perform any function that can be handled at a lower level of organization that is closer to the problem. I do not fully agree with this. I think governement should certainly step on when people need help, especially if the people cannot solve the problem alone. Even if the people can solve the problem effectively, it is the job of government to aid the people and if this rule is taken too literally, and extremely, anarchy could ensue...but I doubt it.

#9) The Priciple of Human Equality-- Defines justice, rendering each person his dues. Basically, this idea is "fairness". Although I have biases, I try to disregard them and live as a person who respects everyone equally and gives them the respect they deserve as human beings. I agree.

#10 The Priciple of the Common Good-- "respect for the person", "the social well-being and development of the group", "peace and security", need for international structures that can promote the just development of the family across regional and national lines"... An idea of national and global unity is definitely a reasonable idea. I agree.