Religion T2 Assessment two Chp. 1-3

Freedom

the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility. ability to love god and neighbour choose what is morally right and in line with God’s will.

Explain why the desire for freedom is basic to all human yearnings

• From early life, people want to “discover and experience true freedom.”

• Humans naturally seek independence and ability to make own choices.

• As grow, realise limits

“All people are endowed with free will.”

Two key questions for responsible decision-making

• “Have I sufficient personal freedom?”

• “Have I sufficient relevant knowledge?”

ensure choices are:

• informed

• fnot pressured

Internal and external pressures affecting decisions

Internal

• emotions (fear, anger,)

• habits (lying, jealousy,)

• temptations (stealing, resentment)

External

• peer pressure

• social trends

• advertising

• expectations

pressures can:

• cloud judgement

• lead to immoral choices

• reduce personal freedom

Define Moral Relativism

• “What is right or wrong depends entirely on individual’s point of view.”

• ignores absolute moral truth and claims morality changes based on:

  • culture

  • circumstances

  • personal opinion

Dangers of Moral Relativism

• Ignores “universal principles of natural law”

• Allows harmful actions to be justified

• Leads to injustice

E.g

• “persecution of Jews’

• “apartheid in South Africa”

When truth is based only on opinion, objective, powerful people decide what is “right,” leading to harm and inequality.- contrary to Catholic teaching

Freedom of choice cant go against natural law.

Responsible choices = moral choices (long-term happiness)

• “directed to what is good and conducive to long-term happiness”- what everyone wants

• Immoral choices may give short-term pleasure but cause:

  • emotional hurt

  • broken relationships

  • regret

Situations that weaken responsible decision-making

• using drugs (impairs judgement)

• associating with negative influences

• entering situations where emotions overpower thinking

• strong peer pressure

• repeated bad habits

These reduce freedom and ability to choose what is right.

Why people need to learn moral principles

• People “can make mistakes”

• What seems good “can turn out to be a mistake”

• Moral principles help:

  • “work out right and wrong”

  • guide decisions

Without them:

• people become confused

• may choose harmful actions

Define Natural Law & Moral Law

Natural Law

natural to people

in harmony with the nature of every human being.

laws that a person with God-given reason can perceive will bring true happiness.

discovered using human reason
universal and unchanging

Moral Law

• Principles used to determine:

  • “whether a thought, word or action is right or wrong”

  • includes principles known through natural law and revealed laws

Why it’s difficult for people to grasp moral principles

• Original sin damaged human nature”

• People:

  • confused about less obvious principles”

    • unsure how to apply

• “Sometimes what is morally wrong, ‘feels right’”

• Influenced by emotions and pressures

Relationship between Natural Law and Divine Law

• Natural law:

  • discovered through human reason

  • helps people understand right and wrong

• Divine law:

  • revealed by God (Commandments + Jesus’ teachings)

  • clarifies and strengthens this when people are confused

God’s Revealed Laws

• The Ten Commandments

• Jesus’ Two Great Commandments:

  • Love God

  • Love your neighbour

These guide people to live according to God’s will.

The Golden Rule

• Always treat others as you would like them to treat you.”

How human freedom was lost + consequences

• Humans disobey God”

• “destroyed original relationship

Consequences:

• “loss of harmony”

• weakness against temptation

• conflict between right and wrong

• suffering (illness, injustice)

How and what people learn through God’s Creation

• Creation is a sign:

People learn:

• God exists

• is present everywhere

• calls them into relationship

ask:

• “Who created this?”

• “How should I respond?”

helps people become aware of God’s presence and love.

How to build a relationship with God

• “acknowledge God’s presence”

• “communicate with God”

Also:

• worship, pray

• trust God

• seek guidance

• have faith

Three things Israelites learned about God (Moses)

• God is “freeing and liberating, guides His ppl, “provides” for His ppl

Israelites’ experiences of God

discovered God:

• the one true God”

• communicates “personally and directly”

• promises blessings”, keeps promises

learned to:

• pray

• trust God

• seek guidance

• have faith

Through the covenant- related more closely with God.

Why people struggle to make responsible choices

• People need time to understand options and consequences.

• Responsible decisions require reflection and patience.

• lack of knowledge

• strong emotions

• peer pressure

• confusion about right and wrong

Strong emotions can make people think something is right because “it feels right.”