1. One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the major idea of the section.
I think the most important part of the Catholic Morality section were the 10 Building Blocks to Catholic Social Teaching. I think they encompass the best ideas because they are guidelines for Catholics to live morally, but it can also apply to any other moral system and any person can live by them. The first point is the “Principle of Human Dignity” which states that a person, no matter what their background, ethnicity, orientation, economic status, etc, has the same right to be worthy of respect from others. It is not what we do or have that gives us this respect, but merely being human. Second, we have the “Principle of Respect for Human Life” which says that every human life is precious and it is “always wrong to directly attack innocent human life”. Furthermore, points three and four both explain the ideas of “Association and Participation”. Association explains why being part of a group (a family group in particular) is so important to growing up fulfilled. Participation explains that a person has a right to join a group which would be fulfilling to his development as a human being. Following this is the “Principle of Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable” which states that for a society to grow and prosper completely, we must focus on those who have the hardest time fulfilling their potential as human beings. Furthermore, the “Principle of Solidarity” means that we as a group must act morally which would lead to choices that, “promote and protect the common good.” The “Principle of Stewardship” is the idea that as humans, we have a responsibility to the world and to each other to take care of our environment as well as ourselves. It is the respect we should give to God’s creation. Following this is the “Principle of Subsidiarity” which is the limitation of a government system which is too oppressive to the people it governs. This principle says that “no higher level of organization should perform any function that can be handled…at a lower level…” The following two principles, Human Equality and Common Good, both have to do with how we treat our fellow humans. The “Principle of Human Equality” says that we have a responsibility to treat people as equals. Also, the “Principle of the Common Good” tell us that our decisions and actions should support the rest of society before ourselves. These ten ideas were the most important ideas for me for the section.
2. List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.
a. Freedom - The Catechistic idea of “freedom” is basically the freedom to do what we should. The Catechism states that freedom is, “the power to act or not to act, and so to perform deliberate acts of one’s own. Freedom attains perfection in its acts when directed toward God, the sovereign Good.” (1744). What this means is that we, as humans, have the power to act for good or for evil, and this power has the potential to do great things when it is directed towards the “greater glory of God.”
b. Sin - Sin is defined as, “an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God…” I think this is an appropriate definition because, to me, sin is when we are persuaded by various influences to do things which we know we shouldn’t. The severity of sin may vary, but the idea that we are going against God and that we are doing things he doesn’t like is all the same.
c. Processes - The processes with which we can determine what the right thing to do is was a major part of this section. My favorite was the O-P-T-I-O-N method. O - Options: First, consider and list all of your options and motives for each. P - Prayer: pray for both guidance and for the moral courage to choose the one that best fits. T - Testing: Test each option by weighing it against your personal and religious values. I - Information: Consider the facts of the case involved. O - Obligations: Ask yourself if any of the obligations incurred by each option will conflict with current obligations. N - New Options: Did any new options surface during the process? I think that this process is very effective in understanding what the best option is in decision making as well as what is the most morally upright.
3. One image that reminds you of key ideas.
"Forbidden Fruit" by Akiane. Picture taken from her website. www.artakiane.com
I think this image is a perfect example of Catholic Morality because it represents the very beginnning of sin. The picture depicts Eve as she is about to eat the forbidden fruit. Also, because sin is the basis of Catholic Morality (meaning the quest to avoid sin), I think it is important to understand where sin comes from. Eve is showing a lack of freedom in this painting.
4. One good question you should keep with you to ponder.
As a non-denominational Christian, what else can I learn about Catholic Morality than can help me to better understand my own faith? What can I take from Catholicism and bring it into my own faith?
5. What should you try to do to make you a more moral person?
I think that the best thing I could to in regards to making myself a more moral person from this section would be to try to live out (to the best of my ability) the 10 Building Blocks of Catholic social teaching. I think that by trying to incorporate them into my life, I can become a more moral person and a better Christian.
