Theo Unit 5 - 7th Commandment

Thou shall not steal

What is the 7th commandment?

The right of a person or community to owen, govern, and dispose of some part of creation

What is private property?

Access to material goods is needed for survival

Why is private property considered a right?

Taking or use of another’s property against the reasonable will of the owner

What is the sin of theft?

Ownership is temporary; we are accountable for our use of created things from God

What is stewardship?

work is essential and part of human nature
workers need to competently and responsibly complete their tasks

What is the dignity of work?

Fair wages, conditions, and hours

Right to unionize

Sabbath observance

What are the rights of workers?

God created the goods of the Earth to be shared with all people

comes before private property

What is universal destination of goods?

An obligation to care for the less powerful people in the margins of society (materially and spiritually)

What is the preferential option for the poor

Calls prosperous nations to work more closely with impoverished nations to reduce the wealth gap

Catholic calling regarding the international wealth gap

Desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes

What is philanthropy?

Change from an agrarian republic to industry and machine manufacturing

What is the industrial revolution?

new tech innovations

mass production → lower prices

higher living standard

sustaining larger populations

Benefits of the industrial revolution

Lack of workers’ rights

poor working conditions + long hours

child labor

economic inequality

air and water pollution

Drawbacks of the industrial revolution

Individuals own means of production

motivation is for profit

prices set by supply and demand

government has limited role

Capitalism

state owns means of production

Motivated by the equality for the community

Prices set by the state

Government strictly regulates businesses and the market

Communism

Both are extremes to avoid

an ideal economy balances private property and universal destination of goods

Catholic view on Laissez-faire capitalism and communism

Beauty helps inspire and teach the faith

allows for artists to contribute to the church

preserves history and culture

provides revenue to help the Church fight poverty

How does the church justify extravagance in religious art and architecture? 

Owing money

Debt

Humanity’s dominion is limited by God and by concern for the quality of life of others, progeny, and the overall well-being

Integrity of creation