Character, Identity, and Morality Character Core Your character is who you are at the deepest level Unique Every person is an individual, based on our gifts and experiences Self-Chosen Integral Our character comes from how we respond to experience, it is based on our choices Character is what binds your life together, what makes your life consistent “Character refers to the moral identity of persons, an identity found in the depths of their being, an identity which is both unique and self-chosen.” (CCC, p. 18) What is Character?  Connors and McCormick provide three ways of describing character (CCC, pp. 24-27)  Being loving  Being virtuous  Being fully human Love  “Good character enables one to care about others, to enter into loving relationships with others, to reach out to strangers and even enemies with compassion and empathy.” (CCC, p. 24)  Is it “natural” to put others’ needs before one’s own, to sacrifice for others, to treat enemies “with compassion and empathy”?  In the 1950s, Christian ethicist Joseph Fletcher argued that to be good is to “do the loving thing” in a given situation (“Situation Ethics”)  What is the loving thing to do? Virtue  “Virtues are those good moral habits, affections, attitudes and beliefs that lead to genuine human fulfillment, even perfection, on both personal and social levels.” (CCC, p. 25)  The Greek philosopher Aristotle introduced an important tension in virtue:   Virtues are those character traits a particular community values  Virtues are excellence in our innate human tendencies and capacities Which of these two seems most plausible to you? Fully Human – Basic Human Goods Substantive Goods  Life and Bodily Well-Being  Marriage and family  (Also Reflexive)  Knowledge of Truth and Appreciation of Beauty  Skillful Performance and Play (Work and Leisure) Taken from Germain Grisez, Fulfillment in Christ Reflexive Goods  Self-Integration (Inner Harmony): Harmony between your mind, emotions, and body  Authenticity (Practical Reasonableness): Harmony between your values and your actions  Friendship/Justice (Interpersonal Harmony): Harmony between you and other people in various types of relationships  Religion: Harmony between you and God/Ultimate Reality Reflexive and Substantive Goods  Reflexive Goods: Those in which choice is an integral aspect of the good  Substantive Goods: Those in which choice is not an integral aspect of the good  Both types are good for persons, but only reflexive goods are essential to being a good person  I cannot be a good person without integrity, justice, etc.  I can be a good person without health, knowledge, etc.  However, to be a good person I must reasonably pursue health, knowledge, etc. for myself and others The Sermon on the Mount  Matthew 5  Where do you see our main themes illustrated in the first chapter of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount?  Character is…   Core  Unique  Self-Chosen  Integral Character is…  Being loving  Being virtuous  Being fully human Moral Norms and Moral Reasoning Making Decisions with Prudence – Jackpot! Situational Judgment Normative Certainty Moral Norms • Moral Norms: “the general or specific instructions directing persons and communities toward virtue and/or right action.” (Connor and McCormick, 156) • • “Moral norms teach the moral wisdom and experience of the community in short propositional statements prescribing or forbidding certain habits or actions.” (157) “Moral norms seek to preserve and protect those basic human goods or values which help make life fully human.” (157) Sources of Moral Norms • Connor and McCormick point out that the moral norms Christians draw on derive from four sources: • • • • • Scripture Tradition Human Experience Human Reason What sources do you draw on for the moral norms you use to make decisions? Types of Norms Type Definition Examples Absolute? Connections Formal Norms Norms that promote positive character traits Be patient Be loving Be holy Exceptionless They directly promote the virtues Synthetic Norms Norms that forbid acts already defined as immoral Do not murder Do not lie Do not fornicate Exceptionless They indirectly promote virtues and forbid vices Material Norms Norms that provide guidance for specific types of acts Do not intentionally kill an innocent human being Do not perform a medical procedure without the patient’s consent All theoretically have exceptions, although some are “virtually exceptionless” They protect basic human goods (i.e., premoral values) Examples 1. 2. 3. Do not steal 4. 5. 6. Be authentic Be merciful Do not use forms of artificial reproductive technology that involve reproductive cells (sperm or eggs) of a stranger or third party Do not use others’ written material as a source without properly citing it Do not cheat Natural Law • What is the natural law? • • • • An approach to moral reasoning in which virtues and moral norms are in some sense grounded in our nature as human beings Natural law theorizing has roots in both ancient Greek and Roman philosophy and Christianity In Christian versions, the natural law is rooted in God’s creation There is no single natural law theory, but a variety: • • • Some put more emphasis on “(human) nature as physical” Some put more emphasis on “(human) nature as rational” Arguably the best include both Natural Law and Moral Norms • In natural law reasoning, moral norms flow from the basic human goods essential to our nature • • • • Formal norms promote the reflexive goods in various forms Synthetic norms touch on both substantive and reflexive goods Material norms are meant to prevent harm to both reflexive and substantive goods Use the examples from before to illustrate these points TRS 500-B Christian Ethics in the Contemporary World For this assignment, you need to write an individual reflection related to your service project group’s presentation. For that presentation, your group discussed links between your service project, your group’s online discussion of articles, and materials you read and discussed in class. For this individual reflection, you will instead reflect on how your service learning experience drew on and challenged your own personal values. The reflection paper should be at least 500 words, and should answer one of the following questions: 1. How have your own personal moral values and ideals changed or evolved as a result of your experience in class and with your service project? Why did your values and ideals evolve or change? 2. How did you draw on your own personal moral values and ideals to help guide your decisions while working on your service project? How did you draw on your values and ideals to help make sense of what you were experiencing while engaged in the service project? Although the questions ask about your own personal values, you should also make reference to class material to help enrich your answers. Your paper will be graded based on how thoroughly and insightfully you answer the question, but also on elements of writing such as organization, grammar, and spelling. Name: TRS 351-B Christian Ethics in the Contemporary World Service Project Individual Reflection Total: Category Content (7 points) /10 Grade A (90100%) • • • Writing (3 points) B (8089%) • • C (7079%) • • • D (6069%) • • • F (059%) • • • A (90100%) • • • • • • • • B (8089%) C (7079%) • • • • • • • Description Provides thorough and insightful reflections on service project Provides thorough and insightful reflections on personal values and ideals Provides thorough and insightful reflections on class material Provides thorough reflections on service project Provides thorough reflections on personal values and ideals Provides thorough reflections on class material Provides some reflections on service project Provides some reflections on personal values and ideals Provides some reflections on class material Provides limited reflections on service project Provides limited reflections on personal values and ideals Provides limited reflections on class material Provides limited reflections on service project Provides limited reflections on personal values and ideals Provides limited reflections on class material Ideas are articulated clearly Language is appropriate, not too slangy or informal Has introduction explaining relevance of topic Has thesis statement expressing claim Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and paragraphs center on that topic There is a logical order to paragraphs Paper is largely free from spelling and grammar mistakes Mostly clear, but a few confusing phrases Language is sometimes too slangy or informal Has vague introduction loosely connected to topic Thesis statement does not fully express claim Some topic sentences of paragraphs are vague, and/or paragraphs drift from topic Some paragraphs seem out of order Paper has some spelling and grammar mistakes Score ______ ______ D (6069%) F (059%) • • • • • • • Many confusing phrases Often uses slangy or too informal language Missing introduction Missing thesis statement Many paragraphs missing topic sentences and/or do not have clear topic Very little order among paragraphs Paper is riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes Theology Service Project: Homelessness Introduction -NOUF ● Why is Homelessness a Problem? yara For the homeless themselves: - Unhealthy, unsafe, isolation Mental/physical health declines Alcohol/drug abuse Economically/financially for cities/towns: - - Homelessness is a complex economic problem that has social factors such as poverty, lack of affordable housing To be fully homeless is to live without shelter; however, many experience partial homelessness that can include uncertain, temporary, or substandard shelter. Community and family breakdown. Ethically for others around them: - Should we help or should we not? If I don’t help, am I a bad person? We tend to look at homeless people as they either deserve this because of choices they made, or they are victims of circumstance and need help. But how do we tell the difference? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl es/PMC3766254/ Why Should Christians Care about the Homeless? ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Christians have a duty to help the vulnerable in their community Human beings deserve to be treated with dignity Homelessness alienates people from communities of support Homelessness often involves untreated mental conditions All of these conditions must be addressed if we are to be a compassionate and caring society that values life When you value life you value human beings and the conditions in which they live “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me...Truly I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sister of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:35-40) A-SPAN Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network A-SPAN provides life-sustaining services for Arlington's homeless THEIR VISION: to end homelessness in Arlington County THEIR MISSION: to secure permanent housing and provide life-sustaining services for Arlington’s most vulnerable individuals through outreach and relationships built on trust and respect WHAT THEY DO? ● ● ● ● ● Homeless Bagged Meal Program Opportunity Place Emergency Winter Shelter Permanent Supportive Housing Homeless Prevention & Rapid Housing Program What problem(s) does the organization attempt to address? Homelessness, veteran homelessness, drug abuse, mental health, unemployment Flwah Service Project and Article Discussion yara What are three significant ways articles from your group’s online discussion forum provided context for or gave you a deeper understanding of your project? https://dcist.com/story/16/06/29/volunteer-homeless/ (Links to an external site.) The article talks about a Kitchen provides short-term healthy meals and social services to homeless, and many more. These are wonderful programs from kind people and are immensely helpful for the DC homeless community.which is a great ethical way to deal with homelessness problem. https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-mentally-ill-homeless-20170807-htmlstory.html (Links to an external site.) Many people are questioning whether mentally ill homeless people move on to jobs and live independently or will they need to live like that forever. The answer is that they can, and many homeless young adults with mental health issues do move on to school, jobs, and in some cases, independent living. So somehow it is our duty to our community to help in any way towards identifying those whom have a serious mental illness and prove them, not only with a steady home environment, but also with the mental aid they need. https://dc.curbed.com/2018/8/23/17774254/dc-homeless-downtown-day-center-human-services (Links to an external site.) This article discusses how D.C. will open a new day center for the homeless. They have a season they call "hypothermia season" that . This season is when the temperature drops low. This day center will have services for the homeless. Including: case management, housing assignments, and employment and mental health resources. There are meals, showers, computers, and laundry.this is a great movement that is dealing with their special needs not only food and sleep they need a place to shower and wash cloth. That is so ethical and can be taught in church under how to to deal with homelessness problem Service Project - Class Material KW Distributive Justice -Us giving back is our responsibility to our community because it creates social justice. -EX: Give back to those in our communities that don't have an education by providing it to them Love thy neighbor as thyself. -Helping out within your community and giving back is us loving our neighbor. Funding new ideas to give back to the community is unselfish. -EX: Paying for someones mean who can’t afford it. Choices and Community character. -Acting positive towards good choices in the community will help it thrive. The choices we make within our community affect it. -EX: Picking up trash or recycling Conclusion: It is important to be aware of homeless people and address it to the community in order. The reason why we should care for them because it could causes problems within a community. We should References ● ● ● ● Bennett, Jana Marguerite. Aquinas on the Web?: Doing Theology in an Internet Age. New York: T&T Clark, 2012. Connors, Russell B., Jr. and Patrick T. McCormick. Character, Choices & Community: The Three Faces of Christian Ethics. New York: Paulist Press, 1998. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766254/ Ritvalsky, Zachary. (2017). 5 ways the church can help the poor. Action Institute. https://acton.org/pub/commentary/2017/03/15/5-ways-church-can-help-poor Service Project: “Help The Homeless” Syllabus Course Outline Meeting Days/Times: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. 7-9am, 1-3pm & 6-8pm Day 1: Importance of community service Why is homelessness a problem? Teach the homeless that they are apart of God’s plan Location: Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel, Marymount University 2801 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22207 Contact: (703)-522-5600 https://www.marymount.edu/ Description: Our goal is to teach a course to a Christian church about how they can help the homeless in their community, while benefiting their church and personal ethics. Day 2: What can we do to help? Church specific assistance How Christianity can help the homeless Day 3: Service day Food/clothing drive Health seminar/medical assistance Employment/Educational opportunities Support/Social group meetings Scenario: The Sin of Partiality “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?” 1. 2. 3. A homeless person walks into a Church and just lost his job. A homeless person is 10 cents short on a full meal. A homeless person was just released from the Army. Day 1: Information Day - - - - Importance of community service Engaging in community service will provide students with the opportunity to become an active member of their community. This will have a lasting, positive impacting on society as a whole Community service will help students to acquire life skills, knowledge and will be able to help those who need it the most By helping those who are less fortune, bring them money and a meal, showing them the love of Christ, you are not only making yourself happy you are making that person happy as well. Allowing them to blossom into the person God wants them to be. Why is homelessness a problem? There is a lack of affordable housing, poverty and unemployment; and life events that cause individuals to become homeless. Those who become homeless when they leave prison or army and have no home to go to. Teach the homeless that they are apart of God’s plan There is a tendency for people to judge. Although, the homeless offer an opportunity for charity and for self-reflection. God has a plan, from every bump in the road to every person the homeless interact to brighten ones day. Day 2: How the church can help the homeless - - - - - What can we do to help? Provide donated goods/services, a place of support, a place of worship, a place of safety Teach the homeless about God and Christianity in a way to show them that they can start a new life, that they have not been forgotten, that God has a plan for them and he loves them regardless Church specific assistance Social and support groups are a great way to bring in homeless people seeking help. Support groups for those with alcohol or drug addictions can make a huge impact on their lives and the health of the community. Social groups will keep them socialized and mentally happy. Having somewhere to go and people to see is very helpful for them to find a new reason to get a better life. It also provides emotional support for those in need and helps to make connections with others to let them know they are not alone. Physical activity such as group sports or simple exercise activities would be very helpful for their health, as well as build discipline and skill. How can Christianity help the homeless? There may be only one gospel of Jesus Christ, but there is no one way to love our neighbors. Through understanding the gospel, people can learn contentment in their current states and can form hope for a better life. The gospel is about transformation, a positive, life-altering, and progressive change. Sometimes people in a tough situation just need a catalyst to get better. They need a place to be loved, advocated for, educated, and understood. This is more than just help, this is a new, better life for those in need. Day 3: What to do to help the homeless? - Service day Taking charge to make meals and serve them the community. Quilt Making: - To work in small groups to create quilts to donate to a shelter. Words and images that feel will help create a more comforting environment. Taking Action - Brainstorm ideas for impacting change. Create artwork, greeting cards, , etc for fundraising. - - - Study poster designs to later create posters to support the action that will help end homelessness. Example: Ben Shahn’s posters on social issues Health seminar/medical assistance Share a backpack that could be given. The backpack would include some food, water bottles, toothbrushes, soap. Some of the necessities. Employment/Educational opportunities Create resume and job application seminars to help employment. Support/Social group meetings and Athletic events Create sports league to keep homeless active and off the streets. Support group talk meetings. Catholic Social Teaching History of CST Modern CST began with Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum in 1891 ◦ It addressed the rights of workers in the midst of the Industrial Revolution Almost all subsequent popes have written at least one encyclical that is part of CST In 1965 the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) produced Gaudium et Spes, which addresses problems of the modern world Most recent documents of CST: ◦ Pope Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate (2009) ◦ Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’ (2015) The Christian Story in Economic Justice for All THEME APPLICATION TO ECONOMIC LIFE Creation Humans share in God's creative activity through our work and creativity Humankind has "dominion" over creation, we must use it but care for it Material things are in themselves good Each human person is created in the image of God, equal in dignity with others God is ultimately the owner of creation, God created the world for all to share Sin Sin is ultimately a broken relationship with God, but it harms our relationships with others Sin creates a desire for idolatry where we "worship" things or money instead of God Sin grows out from individual relationships to become social sins of injustice Covenant God didn't leave humankind in sin, but reached out and offered a way to live justly God expected His people to have a sense of justice, respecting persons and property God expected His people to have a special concern for the poor The Christian Story in Economic Justice for All THEME APPLICATION TO ECONOMIC LIFE Discipleship Followers of Jesus come from different occupations and different social statuses Christians have a responsibility to serve others Christians have a special responsibility to life up the poor and powerless Christians should be conscientious about their material possessions, since because of sin they pose a moral danger despite being good in themselves Reign of God Even though Christians put their hope in the next life, they should still consider this life important in terms of following God Christians have a responsibility to promote forgiveness and reconciliation in the world Focus on spiritual treasures in heaven rather than worldly treasures in this life Justice in Economic Justice for All TYPE OF JUSTICE APPLICATION TO ECONOMIC LIFE Commutative For example, fair relationship between worker and employer: a fair day's pay for a fair day's work; fair economic transactions and contracts Distributive Society has a responsibility to ensure that each member has an equal opportunity to have basic material needs Social We have a responsibility to contribute to society by working to the extent we are able; we should also work to make it easier for people to participate in the economy
Purchase answer to see full attachment