Good and evil (key beliefs) Flashcards
Catholic views about the origin of evil
FREE WILL – humans choose to do wrong. Most suffering is
caused by humans misusing their free will.
ORIGINAL SIN – God created a perfect world. Adam and Eve
went against God. This introduced pain and suffering into the
world.
AUGUSTINE’S VIEW - God made a perfect world. Fallen angels
caused chaos in nature which brought natural evil into the world
and Adam & Eve brought moral evil. Evil helps us to appreciate
good. Evil is a privation of good.
What is John Hick’s view on the origin of the universe?
God made
suffering to help us to
grow and learn.
What is Jewish view on the origin of the universe?
Jews do not believe in original
sin but they do believe that
humans are born with the
inclination to do good and
evil. The Torah teaches that
they must struggle against
the evil and Rosh Hashanah
and Yom Kippur give them the
opportunity to return to God
when they fail. Some suffering
is a test or punishment from
God but we cannot understand
God and so should not question
him.
What are some atheist responses to the origin of the universe?
God does not exist. The belief that
God is all powerful, all knowing
and all good is an ‘inconsistent
triad’ (Hume)
Mackie said:
* We don’t need bad to
appreciate good and even if
we did we don’t need as much
suffering as we have in the
world.
* Why does God need to make
us better people through
suffering? Why not just make
us perfect to begin with?
* Why does God allow us to
choose evil?
What are some catholic responses to suffering?
We can’t understand God so shouldn’t try to (story of Job);
We suffer because we love ‘grief is the price we pay for love’;
Discipleship will always involve suffering.
We share in Jesus’ suffering when we suffer; The world is not
supposed to be perfect, heaven is perfect and without suffering;
Suffering gives us an opportunity to help others through prayer
and action; We deserve our suffering when we misuse our free
will; We should bear our suffering patiently and we will grow
stronger (Pope John Paul Salvifici Doloris).
What is the evidence that God is Good?
God made creation and ‘saw that it was good’. He created
colour, beauty and variety that are not required for the survival
of the species because he is good and loves us.
What does Jesus’ example teaches us about how we should behave?
Golden Rule – treat others as you would like to be
treated
Jesus welcomed the sinner and the outcast
Jesus said ‘Love one another as I have loved you’
Sermon on the Mount
Jesus praises peacemakers, the merciful and those who seek to do what is right. He says that those who are persecuted will be rewarded. He tells us to do more
than what the law requires e.g. do not murder becomes do not be angry. He says ‘turn the other cheek’ and do good in private.
Natural Law (Thomas Aquinas)
God gives all humans the instinct to ‘do good and avoid evil’. To do this we should follow the 5 primary precepts ; Worship God; live in an Ordered society; Reproduce; educate children, preserve life
Conscience
Only humans have a conscience. The instinct to ‘do good and avoid evil’ means we feel guilt when we fail. Our conscience must be informed by the Church,
teachers, Bible etc.
What sources of authority should we use to make moral decisions & why?
We should follow Jesus’ example as he is the Son of God
We should use the teachings of the Church (magisterium) as the Pope is chosen by God and has authority.
We should use the Bible as it is the Word of God
We should use our conscience as it is the voice of God speaking to us.
We should use Natural Law as it helps us to ‘do good and avoid evil’
We should do the most loving thing in (situation ethics) or whatever brings the greatest happiness to the greatest number
(utilitarianism).
What do Catholics use statues?
Focus for prayer
Someone whose example we can follow
We ask the Saints to pray for us (we do not pray to the saints)
Crucifix reminds us of Jesus’ suffering for our salvation.
Other religious views on statues
Goes against the 2nd commandment ‘Do not have idols’
Praying to anyone other than God breaks the 1st commandment
‘Worship one God’.
Michangelo’s Pieta
A sculpture of Mary holding the body of Jesus, her son
Mary’s open hand – she accepts God’s will Jesus seems at peace – no wounds are visible. Gives hope to those who suffer.
What do people do at Lourdes?
Visit grotto; Torchlight procession; Pray;
Seek spiritual and physical healing; celebrate Mass; celebrate Sacrament of
Reconciliation.
