Religion Test 2 PDF

Religion Test 2 Concepts of Freedom and Free Will slide presentations summary -​ Naturalism: -​ Humans are a part of a great chain of cause and effect, existing because of the right combination of cells and proteins. -​ We do not have an intended self -​ Challe...

Religion Test 2 Concepts of Freedom and Free Will slide presentations summary -​ Naturalism: -​ Humans are a part of a great chain of cause and effect, existing because of the right combination of cells and proteins. -​ We do not have an intended self -​ Challenges the idea of the human spirit and culture, bi-products of natural selection -​ Freedom is an illusion -​ Emotions and action are caused by genetic disposition -​ Denies ethics and morality -​ A person isn’t responsible for their actions -​ Social Determinism: -​ Argues that behaviour is determined by social influences -​ Humans are not free -​ Products of experience -​ Humans make decisions based on experience -​ Sigmund Freud believed that our motives stemmed from love and death (eros and thanatos) -​ Religious Determinism -​ Argues that God has predetermined the course of the world. -​ Includes every individual person's actions due to providence -​ Supported by some protestant churches -​ Free and ethics have no place in predestination -​ God is given the ultimate freedom and the expense of human freedom -​ Catholic church -​ Free will is a gift from god -​ Free will with grace to help people choose good over evil -​ Free will makes humans morally responsible -​ Free will is weakened by sin -​ “God is all knowing but not all doing” -​ Free will with love The Role of our Conscience slideshow summary -​ Teachings of the catholic church:  -​ Our conscience is more than a sensor that regulates our actions with guilt -​ Our conscience acts in love and guides us to live in Christ-like manner -​ The key responsibility to freedom Theories of Conscience The Hunch Theory: “I can’t explain why but I just know it’s right/wrong” The Doing What Comes Naturally Theory: Born with the moral instinct to determine what is right or wrong The Little Voice Theory: a voice inside telling you what’s right or wrong, believe it as the voice of God giving you guidance. The Feeling Theory: based on how one feels after the action or decision they made. good=right, bad=wrong Follow The Crowd Theory: the majority of people can’t be wrong, if this many people do this it must be right. No Conscience Theory: there is no conscience, religion is made up, act as you must in any given situation Using Your Head Theory: use reason and consider alternatives whilst trying to do the right thing, always try to do the most love and the least harm. Three Senses of Conscience 1.​ Conscience as a Capacity: ○​ Inherent ability to recognize right and wrong. ○​ Sociopaths/psychopaths lack this capacity. 2.​ Conscience as a Process: ○​ Requires formation through: ​ Education, prayer, reflection, discussion, and research. ○​ Responsibility to clarify ethical dilemmas. 3.​ Conscience as a Moral Judgment: ○​ Incomplete without action. ○​ Our actions define our character (Aristotle). Symptoms of a Misinformed Conscience  1.​ Rationalization: Justifying wrong actions as acceptable. 2.​ Trivialization: Minimizing the significance of moral decisions. 3.​ Misinformation: Acting on incorrect beliefs about morality. 4.​ "The End Justifies the Means": Using immoral actions to achieve a goal. 5.​ Difficulty in Reasoning: Struggling to weigh complex ethical scenarios. Morality - Objective vs Subjective Morality Objective vs. Subjective Morality ​ Objective Morality: ○​ Belief that morality is universal, not subject to opinion or cultural interpretation. ○​ Some actions (e.g., rape, murder, slavery) are inherently evil, regardless of context. ○​ Supported by the Catholic Church as rooted in God’s divine law. ​ Subjective Morality (Moral Relativism): ○​ Morality is determined by individuals, groups, or cultures. ○​ Actions are deemed right or wrong based on societal or personal beliefs. ○​ Can lead to justifying atrocities like the Holocaust under cultural norms. Objective Morality in Catholic Teaching ​ Morality stems from God's essence as the ultimate authority of good and evil. ​ God’s moral standard is unchanging and absolute. ​ Humans cannot redefine good and evil, as they did not create the essence of goodness. Dangers of Moral Relativism ​ Suggests no universal standard of right and wrong. ​ Empowers individuals or cultures to become the ultimate authority on morality. ​ Leads to a weakening of faith and a diminished relationship with God. Examples and Implications ​ Objective Morality: Evil acts remain wrong despite cultural acceptance (e.g., oppression by the Taliban). ​ Subjective Morality: Justifies actions like Nazi atrocities as morally permissible under their worldview. Sin, A deeper look Key Themes of Righteous Living 1.​ Living a Christ-Like Life: ○​ Love for God, others, creation, and oneself is central. ○​ Prioritizing these forms of love is essential for a righteous life. 2.​ God’s Revelation: ○​ Through scripture, prophets, the Catholic Church, saints, and Jesus Christ. ○​ Jesus’s teachings guide us to know God’s will intimately. Understanding Sin ​ Definition: An offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; failure to show love for God and neighbor. ​ Common Causes: ○​ Ignoring God’s will. ○​ Not prioritizing relationships with God, others, creation, or oneself. Our Responsibilities 1. Loving God: ​ Daily prayer, attending Mass, learning scripture. ​ Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. ​ Aligning actions with God’s commandments (e.g., worshiping only God, keeping the Sabbath holy). 2. Loving Others: ​ Helping the vulnerable, donating, promoting justice, and practicing the Golden Rule. ​ Living the commandments that govern relationships with others (e.g., not stealing, lying, or coveting). 3. Loving Creation: ​ Treat the world as a gift, not merely a resource. ​ Caring for the environment and acknowledging God’s power in creation. ​ Following Pope Francis’s call for stewardship of the Earth. 4. Loving Ourselves: ​ Recognizing self-worth through God’s love. ​ Respecting one’s body and accepting God’s unconditional love. ​ Reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus. Challenges in Faith ​ Tendency to “water down” faith by: ○​ Cherry-picking teachings. ○​ Prioritizing convenience over obligations. ​ Society’s acceptance of normalized sins (e.g., premarital sex) contrasts with the Church’s teachings. Consequences of Sin ​ Examples include social issues like abortion, poverty, and increased risks of STDs. ​ Sin creates a barrier to fulfilling God’s will. Hope and Forgiveness ​ Despite human imperfection, God loves unconditionally. ​ Forgiveness is a cornerstone of Christian faith, emphasizing hope over fear. 7 Deadly sins Overview of the Seven Deadly Sins 1.​ Pride: Excessive belief in one’s abilities or self-worth, often placing oneself above others or God. 2.​ Greed: An intense and selfish desire for wealth, power, or material possessions. 3.​ Lust: An uncontrollable desire for physical pleasure or gratification. 4.​ Envy: Resentment toward others for their possessions, qualities, or achievements. 5.​ Gluttony: Overindulgence or excessive consumption, often of food or drink. 6.​ Wrath: Intense anger or hatred that leads to destructive actions or feelings. 7.​ Sloth: Laziness or a lack of effort, especially in matters of faith and virtue. Significance of the Seven Deadly Sins ​ These sins are considered “deadly” because they can lead to other sins and separate individuals from God. ​ They hinder spiritual growth and damage relationships with others. Which is the Worst Sin? ​ Different theological perspectives argue which sin has the most significant consequences: ○​ Pride: Often considered the root of all sins due to its association with self-idolatry and rejection of God. ○​ Greed: Linked to systemic issues like economic inequality and exploitation. ○​ Wrath: Responsible for violence and cycles of revenge. ​ The presentation emphasizes that the "worst" sin may vary based on its context and impact on individuals or society. Impact on Spiritual Life ​ All sins disrupt one’s relationship with God and others. ​ Overcoming these sins requires: ○​ Self-awareness: Recognizing tendencies toward these sins in daily life. ○​ Virtues: Practicing humility, generosity, chastity, gratitude, temperance, patience, and diligence. The 7 Lively virtues: Humility (Opposes Pride) ​ Recognizing and accepting one's limitations and dependence on God. ​ Focusing on the needs of others rather than self-exaltation. Kindness (Opposes Envy) ​ Demonstrating generosity and goodwill toward others. ​ Celebrating others' successes instead of resenting them. Temperance (Opposes Gluttony)  ​ Practicing self-control and moderation in all things. ​ Prioritizing spiritual over material or physical indulgence. Chastity (Opposes Lust) ​ Valuing purity and self-respect in thoughts and actions. ​ Honoring the dignity of oneself and others in relationships. Patience (Opposes Wrath) ​ Cultivating calmness, forgiveness, and understanding. ​ Responding to challenges with grace rather than anger. Generosity (Opposes Greed) ​ Freely sharing resources, time, and talents for the benefit of others. ​ Placing trust in God’s provision rather than hoarding wealth. Diligence (Opposes Sloth) ​ Embracing hard work, perseverance, and a sense of purpose. ​ Actively seeking to grow in virtue and contribute positively to the world. Prayer Introduction to Prayer ​ Definition: Prayer is a form of communication with God that helps build a personal relationship with Him. ​ Purpose: ○​ Strengthen faith. ○​ Seek guidance, support, and forgiveness. ○​ Express gratitude and worship. Types of Prayer 1.​ Adoration: ○​ Praising God for His greatness and acknowledging His role in creation.  ○​ Example: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty." 2.​ Confession: ○​ Asking for forgiveness for sins. ○​ Recognizing faults and seeking reconciliation with God. 3.​ Thanksgiving: ○​ Expressing gratitude for God’s blessings and grace. ○​ Examples include giving thanks for family, health, or daily provisions. 4.​ Supplication: ○​ Asking God for help or intercession for oneself or others. ○​ Includes prayers for healing, guidance, or specific needs. Methods of Prayer ​ Vocal Prayer: ○​ Prayers spoken aloud, such as the Our Father or Hail Mary. ​ Meditation: ○​ Reflecting on scripture or divine truths to deepen understanding and connection with God. ​ Contemplative Prayer: ○​ Silent, intimate time with God, focusing on His presence. ​ Liturgical Prayer: ○​ Participating in structured prayers within the Mass or Church sacraments. Importance of Prayer ​ Deepens the relationship with God. ​ Provides peace, comfort, and strength in challenging times. ​ Encourages a life centered around faith and gratitude. ​ Builds community when shared in groups or church settings. Practical Tips for Prayer ​ Consistency: Set aside regular time each day for prayer. ​ Environment: Choose a quiet, distraction-free space. ​ Intentionality: Pray with a focused mind and sincere heart. ​ Incorporate Scripture: Use passages from the Bible as a foundation for prayer Heaven and Hell Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory: Key Concepts 1. Afterlife and Belief Systems ​ Reflection on whether belief in an afterlife requires belief in a creator. ​ Heaven and Hell are viewed differently across cultures and religions, with a specific focus on Catholic teachings. 2. Purgatory ​ Predominantly a Catholic concept, not universally accepted among Christian denominations. ​ Defined as a transitional state for purification before reaching Heaven. Criteria for Heaven and Hell ​ Heaven is described as a state of being in God's presence, characterized by ultimate goodness, love, hope, and happiness. ​ Hell, conversely, is the absence of God and all associated goodness. It’s not a place of fire but of longing and separation from God. Catholic Teachings ​ Entry into Heaven requires submission to God's will and living a moral life guided by faith in God and Jesus Christ. ​ God determines the criteria for entry, emphasizing ethical living, accountability, and alignment with divine will. Free Will and Accountability ​ God respects human free will, including the decision to live without Him, which leads to Hell. ​ Actions and choices in life directly influence one's afterlife destination. Challenges of Moral Living ​ Living according to God's will involves: ○​ Keeping the Sabbath holy. ○​ Avoiding gossip, lying, stealing, and other unethical behaviors. ○​ Donating time and resources to help the less fortunate. ​ It is acknowledged that perfection is unattainable, and redemption through forgiveness and atonement is always possible. Perspectives on Justice and Mercy ​ Heaven and Hell's existence underscores divine justice. ​ A just system holds individuals accountable for their actions while offering redemption. ​ God's love extends to all, including those in Hell, similar to how parents love their children even when disciplining them. Pascal wager The Wager Explained ​ Core Idea: Humans must make a "wager" on whether God exists because not choosing is effectively a choice. ​ Two Options: Either God exists or He does not. ​ Two Responses: You can either believe in God or not believe in God.