Religion Final Exam PDF

AQUINAS' 5 PROOFS FOR GOD 1. Motion / Change 2. Efficient Cause 3. Possibility / Necessity 4. Gradation 5. Design / Order / Intelligence SAINTS: Saints are persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for t...

AQUINAS' 5 PROOFS FOR GOD 1. Motion / Change 2. Efficient Cause 3. Possibility / Necessity 4. Gradation 5. Design / Order / Intelligence SAINTS: Saints are persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation. If a person is canonized, they are able to intercede (pray on our behalf), are virtuous (lived according to the Catholic Virtues) and are in heaven. THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH The Magisterium of the Catholic Church is the hierarchy of the Church. Above all humans, is GOD (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The head of the Catholic Church is The Pope (Holy Father, teacher, leader, successor of St. Peter). The Pope, in union with the Bishops and with the Holy Spirit, is tasked with the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures (The Bible). Papal Encyclicals (Letters written by the Pope in relationship with the Holy Spirit) on official teachings are considered infallible (free of error). Note: Not all things said or done by the Pope or Bishops are infallible (free of error) in nature. The Magisterium was instituted by Jesus. St. Peter is considered the first Pope of the Catholic (Universal) Church. All Popes in the Catholic Church are considered successors of St. Peter (whom Jesus called). MORALITY, ETHICS & THE CONSCIENCE Morality: a particular system of values and principles of conduct, especlally one held by a specified person or society; The extent to which an action is right or wrong. Morality Is concerned with always doing the right thing (For Catholics, this means following The Natural Law: God's teachings, ways and wisdom). For Utilitarians, this means, doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Ethics; moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity; the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles. It is a discipline that deals with the nature of the good, the nature of the human person and criteria for right judgment. Conscience: The Inner voice of God within you. Your conscience grows as your relationship with God grows through prayer, fasting and charity. Conscience helps us distinguish between right and wrong and allows us to get in touch with our inner selves HUMAN DIGNITY Catholics believe that the dignity of the human being occurs at the moment of conception. Thus, abortion is considered a sin (unless it is medically deemed that the life of the mother is at risk). Euthanasia is also considered a sin in the Catholic Church. The dignity of the human person is fundamental to the Catholic Social Teachings (which teach that we must respect all life: human and non-human). Because all human life is considered sacred (having originated from God), all life MUST be respected. Not only must we respect and care for all human life, we are also called to be stewards of creation by caring for animals and the planet. All Catholics are called to love God and love their neighbour. This means that we must love ourselves (recognize God's presence within us and respect it by being humble, living a healthy life, having modesty, having healthy boundaries, partaking in daily prayer, fasting and charity), and love others (including our enemies) by having healthy boundaries and praying for others. SEXUALITY & CHASTITY Chastity means having physical and emotional self control. A married couple may practice chastity.Abstinence Is not partaking In sexual relationships. Human sexuality Is considered a gift from God. As such, it should be respected. Sexuality Is reserved for marriage and fulfills 2 purposes: 1. Procreation and 2. Unification of the Couple (Spiritual, Emotional and Physical Bonding). *Research Indicates that couples who live together before marriage have had more difficulties In their first year of marriage. Some researchers attribute this to the thinking of "Let's try and see if this works," thinking as opposed to the "let's make this work," mentally. DISCLAIMER: You should NEVER try to make an abusive relationship work. LOVE & COMMUNICATION: The Four Kinds of Love are: 1. Philia (Friendship) 2. Agape (Unconditional Love) 3. Storge (Family Love) 4. Eros (Sexual Love). Communication within any relationship is important because it derives from our need to be loved. Approximately 70% of communication is non-verbal. If we become effective communicators (+ heal our inner wounds, have a strong relationship with God, have healthy boundaries, a positive self-image guided by God), we will have more successful and healthy relationships. VICES & VIRTUES & THE SACRAMENTS Virtues: Good habits that lead you closer to God. Vices: Bad habits that lead you away from God. Virtues + Vices = Character. Grace: God's gift of love extended to us. Grace is never deserved. God always outpours more love to us than we are ever worthy of. This is why we should always strive for God and surrender to His will. He loves us more than any person could ever love us. Only HIS love has the capacity to heal us. The Sacraments of the Catholic Church are an extension of God's grace and healing mercy towards us. The Holy Spirit is present during all sacraments. The Priest is a representative of God. Sacraments: Baptism: Washes Away Original Sin; Holy Eucharist: God is offered to a person in a tangible way; Confirmation: Strengthens the Sacrament of Baptism, The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Received; Marriage: The blessing of a marriage by God; Holy Orders: The Holy Spirit blesses a person joining the priesthood; Anointing of the Sick: Grace is given to a sick or dying person; Reconciliation: God, Himself, forgives our sins... we are washed clean. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS: Dignity of the Human Person: All human life is sacred from the moment of conception. A person who recognizes the dignity of the human person, sees God in others. Responsibilities and Rights: All humans must have basic human rights. We have a duty to ensure that all humans can live with dignity. Global Solidarity and Development: We must not only think of ourselves but also the impact we have on others (even on a global scale). All people on the planet must be united for the greater good of humanity. Option for the Poor: We must care for the most vulnerable members of society always. No one should be thought of as less than.' Stewardship of God's Creation: We must care for the planet. THE NATURE OF GOD: God is..... Transcendent: is beyond the physical human reality. Omnipresent: is in all places, at all times. Omniscient: is all knowing. Omnipotent: is all powerful. Holy: has a sacred nature. FOUR KINDS OF JUSTICE 1. Ecological Justice: Justice that is concerned with the environment. 2. Distributive (Government) Justice: Justice that is concerned with access to resources. For example: health care access. 3. Social Justice: Care for others. Allowing others to have dignity and respect through volunteer initiatives. 4. Individual Justice: Your personal morality that allows you to be a respectful member of a family, school, community, society. STOP METHOD OF DECISION MAKING S: Search for the Facts: Who? What? Where? Why? When? How? T: Think: What are all of your options? O: Others: How do you options impact others? P: Prayer: What is the more moral response to the dilemma? *You will need to apply the STOP Method to 2 (Two) Moral Dilemmas. LONG ANSWER QUESTION: Throughout the course we have studied Biblical Stories in order to understand the nature of God and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Using specific examples from the Gospels as depicted in The Chosen, provide a sound response to any ONE of the following questions below: 1. Is it possible to have faith and fear at the same time? Can a person have true freedom if fear resides in them? What is required of a person in order to surrender/submit to God's will? Explain using specific characters/scenes from the Chosen. 2. The world promises happiness through a variety of outlets: vanity, pride, fame, greed, etc (The Deadly Sins). God promises joy and salvation if we live a virtuous life. When we keep our eyes on God, he makes us able to walk on water. When we take our eyes off of Him, we start sinking. Using specific scenes from The Chosen, demonstrate the way in which faith leads a person to faith, hope and love.