Kerry Read

Morality-Journal

4-17-06

 

 

The Catechism and Catholic Morality

 

 

  1. The main idea of this section was to study Catholic morality, primarily through the Catholic Catechism. First we learned that a catechism is not strictly a Catholic thing, it is a guideline telling people of a club or faith how to act in a certain way and gives them guides to deciding for themselves. In any decision we make, we make them depending on the object, intention, and circumstance, which are the action of the goal, what we want from this action, and the facts around that action. Along with the Catechism we looked at the 10 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching, all stemming from the first one which is Principle of Human Dignity, which grants every human no matter age, race, gender, etc. dignity and rights. As Catholics it is good for us to study the Catechism and the 10 Principles because it informs us of the Catholic Church’s viewpoint on things and helps us form our conscience and make actions based on those.

 

  1. A.)The first thing I’d like to remember is the LISTEN method we got from Fr. Knapp’s article. It seemed to make the most sense to me that’s why I picked it from the group of 3 and it’s good for me to have a set guide for decision making. L for listing all facts, I to imagine all possible outcomes, S to seek outward information, others opinions, T turn inward and have some personal reflection on the matter, E to expect God’s help in all situations, and N to actually name my decision.

B.)I’d like to really remember the Principle of Solidarity which says that all humans everywhere are part of the human family. We are all out brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. This is good because it reminds me that it’s hard to hate anyone, it’s hard to hate anyone in your family so if I just keep that it mind I may feel more closely tied to those around me.

C.)I’d finally like to remember the Catholic definition of freedom, which is freedom to, not freedom from. It also says that we are rarely free at all because of all the other outside influences that affect us unknowingly. Once we realize this, we may be able to see all of these other influences and control them so as to move closer to true freedom.

 

 

 

 

  1. Image to remind of topic Quote: Our communities must be the source of their own strength politically, economically, intellectually, and culturally in the struggle for human rights and dignity. Community is home and it is power. -Malcom X. 1964

Quote: Our communities must be the source of their own strength politically, economically, intellectually, and culturally in the struggle for human rights and dignity. Community is home and it is power. -Malcom X. 1964

http://iod.unh.edu/publications/teeshirt-tote.html

 

 

  1. Do I have a well-informed conscience? Am I trying to inform it more if it is not? Am I following my conscience in my decision making?

 

  1. What can I do to make myself a better, more moral person?

I can keep my conscience well-informed and when making decisions not only follow that hopefully good conscience but also remember the LISTEN method and carry out all the steps so as to make the morally best decision I can.

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