Catholic Values Exam 2 - Vocab Terms

·       Secularism – The shift away from viewing behaviors as sinful and instead framing them in psychological or scientific terms, focusing on health rather than morality.

·       Solidarity – Recognizing our interconnectedness with all of creation and taking responsibility for the well-being of others, particularly the most vulnerable.

·       Material Sin – An act that may cause harm but is committed without full knowledge or intent, meaning the person may not be fully culpable.

·       Blasphemy – The rejection or negation of the power of the Holy Spirit, considered by Jesus to be the ultimate, unforgivable sin.

·       Covenant – A relationship with God based on love rather than obligation, originating in biblical history and focusing on faithfulness and commitment.

·       Teilhard de Chardin – A priest and anthropologist who sought to integrate science and religion, exploring the interconnectedness of all things.

·       Social sin – Sin that extends beyond individual actions to systemic injustices, such as environmental destruction, discrimination, or economic exploitation.

·       Culpability – The level of personal responsibility for a sinful act, which can vary depending on factors such as intent, knowledge, and circumstances.

·       Hattah – A Hebrew term for sin meaning "missing the mark," referring to falling short of what one could have done morally or spiritually.

·       Great Commandment – Jesus’ teaching that emphasizes love of God and love of neighbor as the foundation of moral life.

·       Personal sin – Individual actions that damage one's relationship with God and others, distinct from broader societal sins.

·       Evaluative knowledge – A deep understanding and personal commitment to an action, recognizing its moral significance before choosing to do it.

·       Pesa – A Hebrew term for sin that is legalistic in nature, referring to a deliberate transgression that disrupts relationships, often communal in impact.

·       Fidelity – Faithfulness and commitment, particularly in relationships, reflecting God’s unwavering love for humanity.

·       Actual sin – The sins that individuals commit, categorized into mortal and venial sins, as opposed to original sin.

·       Core freedom – The ability to make fully conscious and intentional moral choices, not influenced by coercion or external pressure.

·       Hamartia – A Greek term for sin used in the New Testament, referring to a deliberate moral failure rooted in the heart.

·       Heart – The inner core of a person, where sin begins, and where divine love must be accepted and internalized.

·       Mortal sin – A grave sin committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent that severely damages one’s relationship with God.

·       Laxity – A lack of concern for moral responsibilities, leading to an uncritical or indifferent attitude toward sin.

·       Idolatry – Placing something (such as power, wealth, or status) above God, considered one of the most serious sins in Christian tradition.

·       Original sin – The collective brokenness of the world inherited by all humans, affecting individual behavior and requiring God’s grace for redemption.

·       Venial sin – Lesser sins that harm one’s relationship with God but do not sever it, often resulting from acting out emotions like anger or self-pity.

·       Formal sin – A sin committed with full knowledge and deliberate intent, carrying personal moral responsibility.

·       Material sin – (Repeated in the list) See above: an act that may cause harm but lacks full knowledge or intent.

·       Fourth Lateran Council – A significant church council that contributed to the development of Catholic doctrine, including teachings on sin and confession.

·       Magisterium – The teaching authority of the Church, composed of the Pope and bishops, responsible for interpreting and preserving Church doctrine.

·       Hierarchy – The structure of leadership within the Church, responsible for maintaining unity, truth, and addressing errors in teaching.

·       Stalking – A form of obsessive and controlling behavior, often following the end of a relationship, that includes excessive contact and tracking.

·       Pluralistic ignorance – The mistaken belief that one's private views differ from the majority, leading individuals to conform to perceived social norms.

·       IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) – Violence within romantic relationships, including physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, often exacerbated by issues like alcohol use.

·       Patriarchy – A social system in which men hold primary power, often influencing religious, social, and institutional structures.

·       Intimacy – A deep connection between individuals, often misunderstood as purely sexual, but also encompassing emotional vulnerability and self-acceptance.

Themes:

·       Sin and responsibility

o   Sin is understood not just as breaking rules but as a failure to be fully responsible for oneself, others, and society. Moral life is cumulative—our choices shape who we become. Responsibility moves beyond obligation, shifting from “I have to” to “I choose to.”

·       Sin and the Covenant

o   The covenant reflects God’s unconditional love, similar to parental love, which is freely given. Originally, the covenant was communal, not individual, emphasizing the people of Israel’s relationship with God. Sin disrupts this covenant, while faithfulness sustains it.

·       Relational vs. Legal aspects of sin

o   Sin was originally understood relationally—as a failure in one’s relationship with God and others. Over time, sin became more legalistic, seen as a transgression of law rather than a disruption of divine love. The shift from relational to legal minimized personal responsibility.

·       What does Matthew 25 tell us about sin?

o   Matthew 25 emphasizes sin as social and relational, particularly in the failure to care for the marginalized (the hungry, sick, imprisoned). It reframes sin as neglecting justice and love rather than just breaking commandments.

·       Two Gardens in Scripture: Eden and Gethsemane

o   Eden: The first covenant was broken due to lack of trust in God.

o   Gethsemane: Jesus, fully trusting God, restores what was broken in Eden.
These gardens contrast human failure with redemption through faithfulness.

·       Sin’s basis in religious identity

o   Sin cannot be understood apart from one’s relationship with God. It is not just an ethical issue but a religious reality—rejecting God’s love and failing to live in response to it.

·       What does the categorization of sin tell us?

o   Sin has been classified (e.g., mortal, venial, social) to help people understand its gravity and consequences. Over time, classifications were refined to reflect levels of responsibility and impact on relationships with God and others.

·       What led to the minimalization of sin in Christian tradition?

o   An obsession with sin led to its loss of meaning. Secularism reframed sin in psychological and scientific terms (healthy vs. unhealthy behavior). Sin was also reduced to personal moral failures rather than structural injustices.

·       In reference to mortal sin, what do “sufficient reflection,” “full consent of the will” and “serious matter” mean?

o   Sufficient Reflection: Fully understanding the nature of the act before committing it.

o   Full Consent of the Will: Making the choice freely without coercion.

o   Serious Matter: The act must be significant in its moral weight, affecting relationships with God and others.

·       Catholic Social Teaching principles: (from the Power Point) human dignity, respect for human life, association, participation, preferential protection for the poor and vulnerable, solidarity, stewardship, subsidiarity, human equality, the common good—give characteristics of each.

1.      Human Dignity: Every person is inherently valuable.

2.      Respect for Human Life: All life, at all stages, is sacred.

3.      Association: Family and community are central to human development.

4.      Participation: All people have the right to engage in society and decision-making.

5.      Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable: Society must prioritize the needs of the marginalized.

6.      Solidarity: Recognizing our interconnectedness and responsibility to each other.

7.      Stewardship: Caring for creation and resources as gifts from God.

8.      Subsidiarity: Decisions should be made at the most local level possible.

9.      Human Equality: All people are equal regardless of differences.

10.  Common Good: Promoting the well-being of the whole community.

·       Hookup Culture and Justice in Dating

o   Three Aspects of “Poverty of Spirit”

§  Interdependence: Recognizing our need for relationships.

§  Self-Love: Accepting oneself beyond external validation.

§  Learning to Love One’s Neighbor: Moving beyond self-centeredness.

o   We are desensitized to others dehumanization

§  Objectification and hookup culture diminish self-worth.

o   Cardinal virtues

§  Justice: Treating others with fairness.

§  Fidelity: Commitment in relationships.

§  Self-Care: Valuing one’s own well-being.

§  Prudence: Making wise, moral choices.

·       Jesus as a source of moral understanding—elements of character, discipleship

o   Jesus calls for discipleship, not worship. His values—love, inclusion, and dispossession—should be applied in modern life. His rejection of power structures and focus on community and justice offer a model for moral living.

·       The Church and the Moral Life

o   Shaper of Moral Character: Forms believers through teachings, traditions, and role models.

o   Bearer of the Moral Tradition: Preserves and transmits faith-based ethics through generations.

o   Community of Moral Deliberation: Engages in dialogue and discernment about moral issues.

·       Dissent in the Church

o   Definition: Disagreement with Church teachings, particularly on social and moral issues.

o   Criteria for Dissent:

§  Must be serious and well-founded.

§  Must respect Church authority.

§  Must avoid causing scandal.

o   Degrees of Authority in Teachings: Not all teachings are equally binding; core doctrines (creed) are more authoritative than social teachings.

o   Levels of Dissent:

§  Private dissent: Personal disagreement.

§  Public dissent: Expressing disagreement in media or writings.

§  Organized dissent: Groups publicly opposing a teaching.

·       Guidelines for organized dissent? Affirm the teaching authority of the church; be concerned for the means; contribute toward reformulating the teaching; count the cost; goal is leading people to all truth.

1.      Affirm the teaching authority of the church

2.      Ensure means of dissent are appropriate.

3.      Contribute constructively to reform.

4.      Recognize the personal cost of dissent.

5.      Aim to lead toward deeper truth.

·       Conclusions concerning dissent: change, pluralism, participation, reception

o   Change within the Church happens slowly.

o   Pluralism acknowledges diverse perspectives.

o   Reception of Church teachings is crucial—if rejected widely, there may be a problem with how they are taught or understood.

·       Other sources of moral understanding:

o   Sciences & Psychology: Provide insight into human behavior and ethics.

o   Law: Offers moral guidance but is the lowest common denominator.

o   Communities of Influence: Family, schools, and social groups shape moral values.

o   Role Models & Expert Authority: Individuals influence moral perspectives.

o   Liberation Theology: Focuses on the oppressed and structural injustice.

o   Women & Feminism: Challenges patriarchal structures and expands theological understanding.

o   African American Voices: Provide perspectives on justice and equality.

o   Modern Science: Engages with faith to deepen moral insight.

·       What are moral norms?

§  Moral norms guide ethical behavior, derived from tradition, experience, and reason.

§  Are any of them absolute?

·       Some principles, like the dignity of human life, are considered absolute, though applications may vary.

·       Moral norms generally tend to follow positive law*

o   Moral norms influence and sometimes contradict legal systems, shaping ethical laws and societal expectations.

·       Formal norms and material norms—what are they?*

o   Formal Norms: Rooted in values and attitudes, e.g., "Love your neighbor."

o   Material Norms: Practical guidelines, e.g., "Do not steal."

·       Synthetic terms—definition?*

o   Moral concepts that combine multiple aspects of ethical reasoning and application.

·       Virtually exceptionless material norms—definition?*

o   Moral rules that apply in nearly all situations but may allow rare exceptions based on circumstances.

·       Relationship of moral norms and imagination?*

o   Imagination plays a role in moral reasoning, helping individuals anticipate consequences and empathize with others in ethical decision-making.