theology spring final

Why do we have free will?

God desires love-based relationship; love requires freedom to choose the good.

Cardinal Virtues

Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance.

Theological Virtues

Faith, Hope, Charity (Love).

Powers of the soul

Intellect, appetites, will.

What does it mean to be made in the image of God?

We have reason, free will, and capacity to love; grace helps us become like Christ.

What is a moral act?

An act involving choice, knowledge, and moral content.

What is law?

Ordinance of reason for the common good, made by authority.

What is an intrinsic evil?

Action that is always morally wrong, regardless of intent or situation.

Four types of Justice

Commutative, Distributive, Legal, Social.

Acts of Charity vs. Social Justice

Charity: immediate help; Justice: changing structures that cause injustice.

What is solidarity?

Unity and commitment to the common good; recognizing others as brothers and sisters.

Seven main themes of CST

Life and dignity, family/community, rights/responsibilities, poor/vulnerable, dignity of work, solidarity, care for creation.

What is the measure of every institution?

Whether it protects or harms human life and dignity.

Church and State relationship

Separate but complementary; Church offers moral guidance.

Consistent Ethic of Life

Respect for life from conception to natural death.

Types of stem cells

Adult: morally harvested; embryonic: immorally obtained

What is cloning and genetic manipulation?

Creating or altering life unnaturally; often opposed by Church.

Euthanasia: ordinary vs. extraordinary care

Ordinary must be given; extraordinary may be refused.

Modern examples of human suffering

Human trafficking, war, poverty, discrimination.

What is capital punishment?

Death penalty; Church opposes it.

What is restorative justice?

Focus on healing and rehabilitation, not just punishment.

What are fundamental human rights?

Right to life, food, shelter, education, work, healthcare—based on human dignity.

What is subsidiarity?

Issues should be handled by smallest competent authority.

Freedom of worship vs. freedom of religion

Worship = private; Religion = includes public expression.

What is conscientious objection?

Refusing to follow unjust laws on moral/religious grounds.

What is religious liberty?

Right to live and act according to one’s faith.

What is the Domestic Church?

The family—first place of learning faith and virtue.

Is the family the cell of society?

Yes; it’s the foundation for social and personal development.

What do children learn from family and marriage?

Identity, love, dignity, virtue, relationship with God.

How does modern society support families?

Policies on healthcare, education, jobs, housing.

How does the Church support families?

Sacraments, teaching, community support, moral guidance.

IDEA vs. ADA

IDEA = educational rights; ADA = civil rights for all areas of life.

Have laws evolved for people with disabilities?

Yes; more inclusive, protective laws exist today.

What is People First Language?

Put the person before the disability (e.g. “person with autism”).

Three types of poverty

Material, soul, and spirit.

How to support those in poverty of soul?

Through compassion, presence, and spiritual care.

How to develop poverty of spirit?

Through humility and dependence on God.

Causes of hunger

Injustice, inequality, lack of access, war.

SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, Medicare

Government programs that provide food/health assistance.

Can single parent on minimum wage be below poverty line?

Yes, depending on family size and cost of living.

Is there a link between racism and poverty?

Yes; systemic issues create and maintain disparities.

Is education key to ending poverty?

Yes; improves opportunity and income.

Unintended consequences of aid

Can create dependency, harm local economy.

When can charity be harmful?

When it doesn't address root causes or creates dependency.

Good aid vs. bad aid

Good = empowering, sustainable; Bad = temporary, dependency-forming.

Move from aid to enterprise

Shift to development, job creation, and sustainability.

What is a "mind for poverty"?

Understanding systems and causes, not just feeling sympathy.

How does overconsumption affect the poor?

Limits global resources for those in need.

What is prejudice?

Unjust judgment based on group or identity.

What is a stereotype?

Generalization that oversimplifies a group.

What is social sin?

Sin embedded in societal structures that harm justice and dignity.

What is privilege?

Unearned advantages based on identity.

What are microaggressions?

Small, often unintentional acts of discrimination or offense.

Stages of prejudice

Antilocution, avoidance, discrimination, physical attack, extermination.

Why the name change from prejudice to hate?

To emphasize the serious harm and violence that can result.

Rwanda colonizer and when

Belgium, early 1900s.

Reason for Hutu-Tutsi tension

Colonial favoritism and identity division.

Year of the Rwandan genocide

1994.

How long was Immaculée in hiding?

91 days.

Approximate number of Tutsis killed

About 800,000.

Who was killed: Hutu or Tutsi?

Tutsi. Immaculée’s family = Tutsi. Pastor = Hutu.

Who were the RPF?

Tutsi rebel group that ended the genocide.

Who were the Interahamwe?

Hutu extremist militia responsible for killings.

Our role in caring for creation

Be good stewards; protect and sustain the Earth.

Current state of the environment

Climate change, pollution, resource depletion.

Most pressing environmental issues

Global warming, loss of biodiversity, deforestation.

How does environment affect the poor?

They suffer most from lack of clean water, food, housing.

Church documents on environment

Call for stewardship and care for creation.