Morality II

March 8 & 15, 2008

Before Class

• Read Chapter 25-27 in U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Read the following handouts:
  • Chastity and Modesty
  • Virtuous Living
  • The Christian Meaning of Freedom

Homework

• Read Chapter 28-34 in U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Start preparation for exit requirement (if applicable)

To Make Up an Absence

If you are unable to attend this class, please submit at the following class written responses to two questions from each section below, for a total of eight questions. Each response should be 2-3 paragraphs in length and address the question completely. Please include the question that you are addressing at the top of each answer.

Chapter 25. The First Commandment: Believe in the True God

1. Most people in our culture say they believe in the existence of God. What causes the disconnection between that belief and the behavior of many?
2. How does the Incarnation provide the foundation for the Christian veneration of images? How can the veneration of images lead to deeper contemplation of God himself?
3. What are idolatry, atheism, and agnosticism and how are they sins against the First Commandment? Describe examples of each that are prominent in our society and popular culture. How must we as Christians respond?

Chapter 26. The Second Commandment: Reverence God's Name

1. What is blasphemy? Why is it correct to say that blasphemous talk and similar types of language corrupt the user? What are some ways to elevate public taste and the moral quality of public entertainment?
2. Cite examples of reverence for God's name from the Old and New Testaments (at least two from each). How does the Scripture help us grow in love for God's name? How is the name of God vital for our faith life?

Chapter 27. The Third Commandment: Love the Lord's Day

1. Why has the Christian celebration of the Lord's Day replaced the observance of the sabbath? How is the Lord's Day the fulfillment of the sabbath? Cite Scripture in your response.
2. What is a holy day of obligation? List the holy days of obligation that Roman Catholics in the United States are obliged to observe. How are the faithful to observe Sunday and other holy days of obligation? What aspects of our culture challenge us with respect to this responsibility?
3. How has the observance of Sunday rest (and other holy days) historically provided protection for the poor? How can the Christian observance of the Lord's Day help to counteract our "'consumer' society that tends to place value on people for their productivity and material possessions" (p. 368)?

Handouts

• Chastity and Modesty
  What is chastity, and how does its living out differ according to one's state in life? What is modesty? Give examples. How do these virtues express the great value Christians have for the body as well as our responsibility to our neighbor not to lead him or her into sin?
• Virtuous Living
  What is a virtue? How is virtuous living more than "simply following the rules"? What is the goal of living virtuously, and how is it possible to do? How do we grow in virtue?
• The Christian Meaning of Freedom
  What is the moral relativist's meaning of human freedom, and how does it separate morality and freedom from truth? Give examples. What is the true meaning of freedom? What is the goal of human freedom?