GOOD CONDUCT AND KEY MORAL PRINCIPLES Flashcards
(25 cards)
What does predestination mean
The belief that God has redetermined the outcome of events, including a persons eternal force
What does justification mean
The idea of being declared righteous or forgiven in the eyes of god
What does sanctity mean
The belief that life is sacred and is a gift from god
What does dominion mean
God gave humans authority to control gods creation, particularly over other living beings.
What does stewardship mean
Humans have a responsibility to care for the worlds particularly the environment, on behalf of god.
Justification by faith
links with the idea that at death, or the end times, God will decide if someone’s faith justifies them access to heaven - Following the law isn’t enough, as it is ultimately up to God to decide who goes where.
Righteousness cannot be ‘earned’ by following the Law, because all humans are imperfect.
Justification comes only through faith in Jesus.
Justification by works
What is the point of faith without works?
Faith can be shown through works
Faith on its own is useless
Abraham had faith and he showed his faith through his actions
Most Christians believe that actions are important and would use the Parable of the Sheep and Goats to reflect this.
The need for action is emphasised as being important for people to do,
Justification by faith and works
The Catholic Church believe some human effort has to be involved within the justification process.
Catholics also believe that grace comes through baptism. This is a sacrament of faith and faith grows as a result of the sacrament.
Faith in God can, and should, lead to good works.
Predestination- Pelagius
Everything God created was good – humanity cannot have been created in a state of original sin
Grace was God’s gift of free will to humanity – we do not need God’s help in choosing between good and evil
Predestination has nothing to do with morality.
How does predestination challenge free will?
God is omnipotent
God is omnibenevolent
Evil Exists
God is Omniscient
When do we get a soul according to catholic church and 2 other types of christians?
Catholic Church: The moment the sperm fertilises the egg life begins (ensoulment)
Some Christians: At 14 days when the embryo is formed not just a ball of cells
Some Christians: The moment that the baby takes it first breath and is independent its mother
Whate are the two types of sanctity of life?
Strong; human life is sacred to God.
Weak: the principle of quality of life must be taken into account when considering issues surrounding life and death.
Issues affecting sanctity of life
Contraception
Abortion
Euthanasia
Embryo research
Pre implantation genetic diagnosis
Strong sanctitiy of life principles
Human life is sacred to God and so contraception is not allowed
Conception is the moment of the beginning of the soul, so abortion is never acceptable
Everyone is made in God’s image so a life that is affected by disability or illness should still be preserved
Embryos contain a soul, therefore should never be experimented upon as it is breaking the commandment against murder
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, can be seen as treating life unequally, so should not be allowed
Weak sanctity of life principles
Human life is sacred, however life does not begin until conception, so contraception is acceptable
Abortion can be acceptable if the resulting pregnancy and life will affect quality of life, e.g. baby will have a terminal illness or the pregnancy will threaten the mother
The ‘quality of life’ principle suggests that humans have a god given right to autonomy, as humans are made in God’s image do have the right to decide
UK law gives status to embryos after 14 days, so experimentation is allowed before this time. Some
Christians will support the states view
Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis, can be seen as a way to medically screen for terminal illnesses, which can help ensure ‘quality of life’ so acceptable under these circumstances
Whats jus ad bellum
Conditions before war starts
What is the 6 conditions under jus ad bellum
Just cause
Legitimate Authority
Right Intention
Probability of Success
Last Resort
Proportionality
Whats jus ad bello
Conditions during war
What are the 2 conditions under jus in bello?
Dont harm innocent ppeople, only attack those who deserve it
Has to be proportionate response at all times
What do we mean by a just war?
Both Augustine and Aquinas developed the theory, where the principle aim is to defend life and protect the innocent.
What are the issues with jus ad bellum
Who decides if a cause is just?
Authority may not be competent.
Intention can be ‘right’, but misguided.
No ones knows if a war is winnable at the beginning.
The last resort may not be the best strategy leading to more deaths.
Proportionality – also impossible to know before hand what weapons your enemy may use.
What are the 5 Weapons Of Mass Destruction
Nuclear weapons
Chemical weapons
Biological weapons
Radiological weapons
Cyber weapons
What are the issues with WMD
Discrimination
Proportionality
Probability of success
Arguements against christians justifying WMD
Naïve to think countries would relinquish their weapons
WMD will kill innocents not involved in war
The extent of destruction the WMD causes means that they are not justifiable
The use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated
WMDs give one side an advantage, so it would not be a fair war
Killing anyone is forbidden
