Religion Flashcards

Justice

Showing concern for the rights of others and treating all people fairly as members of the human family

Basic Sense of Fairness

An innate human trait present even in young children ("It's not fair") that begins as self-interest and matures into a genuine concern for others

Justice as True Love

A basic feature of truly human love that seeks the good of others, serving as a key sign of real spiritual and emotional maturity

Two Concerns of Maturing Justice

1) Respecting the rights of the Creator (God), and 2) Growing in the ability to love others as members of the human family

Rights of the Creator

God's right as Creator to receive thanks, praise, worship, and obedience from all human beings

Peace

The direct result of just love; true peace cannot exist without justice, as unresolved injustices cause tension, resentment, and conflict

Requirements for True Peace

Overcoming personal selfishness, respecting the rights of everyone in daily life, and working to correct injustices at personal, group, and national levels

Four Levels of Injustice

Injustices occurring 1) within families, 2) within wider society, 3) between nations, and 4) against God

Injustice within Families

Unjust family behaviors including put-downs, habitually pointing out weaknesses, reminding others of past mistakes, sarcasm, ridicule, and failing to forgive

Injustice within Wider Society

Unjust social practices such as stealing, ignoring others' needs, viewing workers solely as production tools, and discrimination

Injustice between Nations

Global injustices including economic or military domination, poverty, and unequal resource distribution where the wealthy 20% consume 86% of global goods

Root Cause of Global Injustices

Individual human greed and selfishness, which drive injustices between nations

Failure to Recognise the Human Family

The fundamental cause of societal injustices, occurring when people fail to see others as human persons created in God's image (e.g., racism, exploitation, prejudice)

Injustices against God

Taking God for granted and ignoring His right as Creator to receive thanks and praise, which weakens a person's relationship with God and cuts off divine guidance

Root Cause of All Injustice

Human sinfulness, beginning with Original Sin, which broke God's original plan for a just world

Original Holiness and Justice

The original state created by God characterized by complete friendship with God and four harmonious relationships

Harmony with God

The foundational relationship where human beings lived dependent on God, worshiping Him and obeying their Creator

Harmony within Oneself

The state of inner peace, clarity, self-mastery, and spiritual strength to resist temptation

Harmony with Each Other

Mutual respect and love between people, flowing from peace with God and seeing the image of God in others

Harmony with Creation

Recognizing creation's goodness and acting as stewards and partners with God in its ongoing development

Destruction of Original Justice

The loss of all four harmonies caused by Adam and Eve's Original Sin, leading to guilt, social conflict, war, pollution, and death

Justification

The destruction of the power of Original Sin over humanity and the restoration of a person's living relationship with God

Two Aspects of Justification

1) Forgiveness and salvation from sin through the grace of the Holy Spirit, and 2) Sanctification (receiving a share in the very life of God)

Justification as a Free Gift

God's unearned restoration of humanity flowing purely from His unconditional mercy and love

State of Grace

Having a living relationship with God, established at Baptism, lost by mortal sin, and restored through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

How Jesus Restores Justice

1) Restoring humanity's relationship with God, and 2) Sharing the Holy Spirit so believers can live the Two Great Commandments

1st to 3rd Commandments & Harmonies

Commandments that teach love for God, developing the foundational level of Harmony with God

3rd Commandment & Inner Harmony

The commandment requiring rest, leisure, and worship on Sundays to prevent emotional exhaustion and restore Harmony within oneself

4th to 10th Commandments & Social Harmony

Commandments that teach love for neighbor, safeguarding Harmony with each other

7th Commandment & Harmony with Creation

The commandment forbidding environmental degradation, pollution, cruelty to animals, and resource exploitation to maintain Harmony with creation

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance)

The sacrament that restores a person's relationship with God and subsequently repairs all breaches caused by sin across all four original harmonies