Unit 3A Religion Sem 2

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes regarding conscience, moral decision-making, laws, principles of conscience, and guidance by the Holy Spirit and Magisterium.

Conscience

The core or heart of every person, described as a secret core or sanctuary where individuals hear echoes of God's voice and recognize divine calls to goodness.

Call to Goodness

An inherent feature of human nature present in every person that reflects God's image and cannot be entirely repressed.

Role of Conscience

Is the secret core or sanctuary where individuals here echoes of Gods voice. It is the sacred place where people are alone with God, allowing them to recognize and follow the divine call to goodness

Vatican II - Role of Conscience

An ecumenical council that describes conscience as revealing a law written by God, summoning individuals to love good and avoid evil.

Human experience

Conscience moves people to love, do good, and recognize the divine within themselves. Daily prayer and worship to help individuals become more attuned to their consciences and its guidance.

Ways People experience the Call to Goodness

Personal Ideals, Inspiration from others, feelings of guilt, desire for truth and love.

Personal Ideals

Values such as honesty, loyalty, and courage that reflect the faithfulness, justice, and spiritual power of God, often emerging during adolescence.

Feelings of Guilt

A feeling that arises when a person acts against their conscience, serving as a divine call to return to living according to God's design.

Inspiration from others

witnessing the love, goodness and courage within others can resonate within someones conscience, inspiring them to emulate such qualities. People admire others for heroic acts or consistent goodness in daily life.

Desire for Truth and Love

People experience a deep longing for truth and genuine love, which serves as an echo of Gods call to holiness.

Leviticus 19:2 - Desire for Truth and Love

Scripture text containing God's command to 'be holy' as He is holy, which is reflected in a person's desire for truth and love.

Human Heart Questions

Deep, recurring questions stirred by conscience (such as the purpose of life, suffering, right vs. wrong, and the afterlife) that draw people closer to God.

Guide of Conscience

Conscience calls on individuals to reflect on their actions and make judgements based on what is good and loving, Psalm 34:14, Scriptural passage that states, 'Turn away from evil and do good,' which aligns with the call of conscience.

Action (Moral Decision Element)

One of three requirements for a decision to be morally good; the act itself must align with God's law.

Intention (Moral Decision Element)

The purpose or motivation behind an act; a good action performed with a bad intention is morally wrong.

Circumstances (Moral Decision Element)

The context surrounding an action; improper context can render an otherwise good action wrong.

Natural Law

The law of God inscribed in human nature that gives people a basic sense of right and wrong, such as recognizing the inherent value of human life and equality.

Divine Law

God's law providing clarity on right and wrong, which includes the Ten Commandments as enriched by Jesus' teachings and His two great commandments of love.

Gods Forgiveness and Healing

Jesus’ ministry emphasized forgiveness and healing, as seen in Gospel stories like the healing of the paralytic, Mark 2:5-12. Through sacraments like Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, Jesus continues to forgive sins and restore strength.

Sin

Any deliberate thought, word, or action against God's law.

Reconciliation

A sacrament that restores an individual's relationship with God and the Church.

Eucharist

A sacrament that forgives venial sins and provides spiritual nourishment.

Anointing of the Sick

A sacrament that grants strength, peace, and courage to those facing illness or hardship.

Path to Happiness

True happiness arises from living a moral life, doing good and avoiding evil. Listening to one’s conscience helps individuals recognise and follow God’s call

First Principle of Conscience

The principle stating that everyone is obliged to form their conscience through learning moral principles, discipline, practice, and self-reflection.

Second Principle of Conscience

The principle stating that everyone is obliged to follow a sincere conscience, even if mistaken, provided the mistake is not intentional.

Third Principle of Conscience

The principle stating that conscience does not decide right and wrong; only God determines moral truths, which conscience merely applies.

Fourth Principle of Conscience

The principle stating that a good end does not justify immoral means; both the objective and the methods used must be moral.

Factors that make it difficult for people to recognize the voice of God.

Social Trends, Peer Pressure, Strong Emotions, Habits: Virtues/Vices

Social Trends

Society sets accepted behaviors, making it easy for individuals to conform without questioning the moral values behind them.

Example Trends

Designer fashion. Pre-marital sex becoming socially accepted, Acceptance of divorce and living in de facto relationships, Controversial practices like euthanasia or recreational drug use.

Negative impacts include increased rates of issues like youth suicide, domestic violence, and crime

Peer Pressure

Can be both positive and negative, but often leads individuals to conform out of fear of rejection. Strongly influences behaviour and decision-making, causing people to act without consulting their conscience.

Strong Emotions

Emotions can motivate positive actions (courage) but may dominate to the point of impairing moral judgment. Overpowering emotions can lead to impulsive, inappropriate, or immoral behavior, blocking one’s ability to listen to their conscience.

Virtues

Positive habits created by repeated good actions that encourage moral behavior and listening to conscience.

Vices

Negative habits (such as lying or gossiping) created by repeated wrong actions that obstruct listening to conscience.

Inadequate Moral Formation

Some individuals do not have a clear sense of right and wrong due to poor moral education. This confusion leads to misunderstanding what is genuinely good and mistaking social influences for moral guidance

Charity

A gift from God that empowers people to love and act morally, developed through practices such as daily prayer and attending Mass.

Magisterium

The Church's teaching authority formed by the Pope and bishops, tasked with teaching and applying Christ's commands in His name.