Morality IIB

September 25, 2008

Before Class

• Read chapters 25-28 and 32 of U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Read handouts (optional)

Homework

• Read chapter 29 of U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Read handout: Sanctity of Human Life
• Review handout: Principles of Morality (Mammola)

To Make Up an Absence

If you are unable to attend this class, please submit to the instructor at the next class written responses to a total of five questions (one from each section) from below. Each response should be 2-3 paragraphs in length and address the question completely. Include the question (not just the number) at the top of your response.

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)?

Chapter 28. The Fourth Commandment: Strengthen Your Family

1. Why do we call the family the domestic church? How does this challenge families to grow in love and holiness as an icon of the Trinity? What are the responsibilities of parents as the first and primary educators of their children?
2. Why is the family the basic unit of society? How is this view challenged in our culture? What are the effects on society of disintegration of family life? Give examples. How can we strengthen and enrich family life?
3. What are the obligations of civil authorities with respect to the family? Give examples of how civil authorities in the U.S. have succeeded and failed in meeting these obligations. How are we as citizens called to respond to these failures?

Chapter 32. The Eighth Commandment: Tell the Truth

1. How do elements of American culture, particularly in the media, oppose the reality of objective truth? Describe some practical consequences of a denial of objective truth. How can we as Christians witness to the truths of our faith?
2. How is the right to know the truth not absolute? How do we discern whether to reveal the truth in concrete situations? Give examples. How is detraction an offense against truth?
3. What is the relationship of art to truth and beauty? How can art lie, that is, fail to tell the truth? Give examples.