Christian Morality, Conscience, and Personal Responsibility

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Lessons 1 through 8 on Christian morality, conscience, free will, human acts, digital citizenship, and spiritual growth.

Structure of Sin

The societal result created when individuals choose greed or silence over integrity, affecting everyone.

Autonomy

Also called the Value of Freedom; the capacity to think, decide, and act on our own without being restrained by other persons or structures.

Value of Integrity

The inner capacity to bring inner harmony to one’s thoughts, words, and actions according to the principles of right and wrong.

Value of Faith in God

Our willingness to give ourselves totally to God and align our thoughts, words, and actions according to His law.

Integrity

Derived from the word integer, meaning 'whole', referring to the alignment of one's actions, words, and beliefs.

Solidarity

Recognizing that we are all responsible for each other's well-being.

Stewardship

Caring for resources and the environment for future generations.

Morality

The standard by which we judge our actions to be good or evil, originating from the Latin word mos/mores, meaning 'custom,' 'manner,' or 'character.'

Imago Dei

The image of God in human beings, affirming that humans remain inherently good and are moral beings.

Human Acts

Acts done knowingly, freely, and voluntarily involving both intellect and will, which are the only acts that can be judged as moral or immoral.

Acts of Man

Instinctive, reflexive, or involuntary actions performed without full use of reason or free will, which are not subject to moral judgment.

Object (Determinants of Morality)

The act itself; what is actually being done.

Circumstances (Determinants of Morality)

The who, what, where, when, why, how, and by what means surrounding the act, which can alter responsibility but cannot make an evil act good.

End/Intention (Determinants of Morality)

The purpose or motive of the person performing the act; the 'why' behind the action.

Conscience

The practical judgment of reason and subjective norm of morality that tells a person whether a particular act is good or evil before, during, or after doing it.

Freedom

The ability of a person to choose and act according to their own will, without being forced.

Free Will

An essential requirement for morality that enables managing feelings and making deliberate choices toward good behavior.

True Freedom

The capacity to choose what is truly good, rather than simply 'doing whatever I want'.

Dialogue

A deep exchange where individuals listen to understand and seek truth while respecting human dignity, rather than winning arguments.

Digital Citizenship

The responsible and ethical use of technology to participate in society.

Digital Footprint

The trail of data left behind on the internet forever.

Cyberbullying

Using digital platforms to harass, threaten, or humiliate others.

Law

The objective norm of morality consisting of rules and regulations external to the individual, established and enforced by competent authorities for the common good.

Erroneous Conscience

A type of conscience that judges a wrong action as right or good, deviating from objective moral truth due to ignorance, misinformation, or flawed reasoning.

Skeptical Conscience

A type of conscience that is uncertain or doubtful about whether an action is right or wrong.

Correct Conscience

A type of conscience that clearly recognizes and judges what is right or wrong.

Lax Conscience

A type of conscience that tends to ignore, minimize, or excuse sins and wrong actions, treating serious moral wrongs as unimportant.

Gaudium et Spes

A Church document teaching that human dignity rests on our call to relationship with God.

Pride

Excessive belief in one's own abilities or importance.

Anger

Uncontrolled feelings of rage, hatred, or desire for revenge.

Lust

Disordered or intense sexual desire.

Envy

Sadness or resentment over another person's traits, status, or possessions.

Gluttony

Overindulgence or overconsumption, usually of food or drink.

Avarice (Greed)

An excessive desire for wealth, material goods, or possessions.

Sloth

Physical or spiritual laziness and apathy.