The Light Of Catholic Social Teaching Essay - 1818 Words

The Catholic Church believes that human life and human dignity go hand in hand. A threat to one is an equal threat to the other. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that, â€Å"The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it† (1935). The Second Vatican Council in Gaudium et Spes recognized that, â€Å"†¦any kind of social or cultural discrimination in basic personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language or religion, must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design† (29). In other words, humans were created in God’s image and from that we acquire our dignity and rights because of that holy and sacred origin. The plan was meant for all to enjoy a basic equality and yet due to sin, the evil of racism has been allowed to permeate humanity, thus helping to deny human dignity and human rights. In the light of Catholic social teaching (CST), one asks the questions, in what ways does racism help to deny mankind its rights and dignity, and what are we as the Church doing to help combat this scourge on our communities and on society? Whether one calls it racism, xenophobia, or prejudice, all humans have an innate tendency to pre-judge others based external characteristics. This becomes a problem when we allow these observations to become stereotypes where all of one particular community or group are broadly painted by these subjective observations, normally negative. AsShow MoreRelatedThe Church And Its Impact On The Environment1509 Words   |  7 PagesCatholic adherents are participating to a significant extent in the ever increasing ethical concern of the environment, in compliance with Church teaching. The environment is quickly becoming one of the greatest topics of debate in modern times as the impacts of climate change and deforestation become more and more apparent to the world, and is arguably man’s next greatest ethical concern. Regardless of one’s stance on ecological issues it is hard to argue that a change in our behaviour isn’t neededRead MoreImmigration. Immigration Is A Topic That Has Been In The1640 Words   |  7 Pageshave some negatives, it is my view that immigration is a necessity for the United States because of its roots in Catholic social teaching, effects on economy, and the need for basic rights of individuals to obtain a better life. When dealing with immigration one must not just view it as an economic factor but must understand that immigration is an issue within Catholic social teaching. Immigration is a topic that dates back to the new testament with stories of Exodus where the chosen people fledRead MoreNatural Law Perspectives681 Words   |  3 Pagesall other goods are insignificant. Human beings also pursue knowledge and relationships, considered to be basic goods because they are contributing components to the ultimate good of life, acting in a capacity that leads to fulfillment (Floyd). In light of the argument that health is a basic good, it can be seen that certain illnesses or states of unhealthiness hinder an individual’s pursuit of what is good, so these states must be avoided. Aquinas’s view of Natural Law includes a more religious focusRead MoreWhat Would Jesus Do1227 Words   |  5 PagesWhat would Jesus do in regards to the social justice issue of immigration? Would he give immigrants a fair and unbiased opportunity in a new country, or would he turn his back towards these hopeful people? The Catholic Church teaches us that Jesus would support immigrants, live by the Catholic Social Justice Themes and the Christian Feminist model of Justice, and give these people a fighting chance in a new country. These ideologies represent hope, a more promising future for immigration, and a changeRead MoreA Brief Look at Mary Magdalene1071 Words   |  4 Pagessubject of numerous works of art. She has been represented in a variety of tropes and styles; which were subject to the religious, political, and social standards of the time. Giacomo Galli’s Saint Mary Magdalene was painted in the early seventeenth century in Italy, at the beginning of the Bar oque era. By contorting Magdalene’s body, bathing her in light and encompassing her in darkness, Galli was able to present the viewer with an image representative of her divided identity. Galli likely choseRead MoreThe Struggle Between Protestantism And Pluralism1577 Words   |  7 PagesPuritan-evangelical insiders and non-Protestant outsiders into a religious struggle for spiritual authority in 19th century America. Separation of church and state guaranteed the right and freedom to practice the desire religion in America. Religions came to light since colonial times continued with their religious practices and were more focused on maintaining superiority over the threat posed by other non-Protestant religions. Religious pluralism in the 19th century was the center of a religious struggle,Read MoreIn spite of the fact that Martin Luther and John Calvin completed impart a percentage of the same1000 Words   |  4 Pages Martin Luther had confidence in salvation through acts of kindness, while John Calvin unequivocally had faith in fate. Martin Luther and John Calvins teachings were likewise diverse because of the way that Martin Luther believed in partition of church and state. Notwithstanding their disparities, they did offer the conviction that the Catholic Church was at issue and conferred obscenities that were unholy, and that ought to be changed. â€Å"Seeking to please God rather than men led Luther and CalvinRead MoreReligion And Society : Forever And A Half Ago1680 Words   |  7 PagesLynchel Brumaire Ido Tavory Religion and Society Forever and a half ago The rise of Social media within the last 10 years has revolutionized the way people interact with another. By analyzing the boundaries and practices of the Catholicism, this paper explores the tension between the Church and Social Media The father of Sociology, Emile Durkheim, asserted in his book Suicide that the strength of a religion should be measured by â€Å"a certain amount of beliefs and practices common to all the faithfulRead MoreLong Lost Family1633 Words   |  7 Pagesfrequently in the discussion of the centuries long rift between Catholics and Jews. It is apt. For, in the 50 years since the promulgation of Nostra Aetate by Pope Paul VI, Catholics and Jews have come far in healing 2,000 years of miscommunication, false pride, inaccurate understanding, failure to witness, and lost opportunities for unity. Throughout the selected readings that are the basis of this paper, it is clear that the Catholic Church is seeking to correct time and memory. While many of theRead More Catholic religion Essay755 Words   |  4 PagesCATHOLIC RELIGION To belong to the church one must accept as factually true the gospel of Jesus as handed down in tradition and as interpreted by the bishops in union with the pope. The most important thing in this divine tradition is the Bible, its text determined and disseminated by the church. The church, according to the Roman Catholic catechism, is the only Christian body that is â€Å"one, holy, catholic (universal)†. The doctrine of apostolic succession is one of the key parts of the Catholic faith