Catholic Christianity 1.3 Sources of Personal and ethical decision making

Question 1

Teaching of Jesus

Answer 1

Catholics look at life of Jesus
-for e.g. Jesus’ golden rule: ‘Love God and love your neighbour as you love yourself’
-Christians believe Jesus fulfilled law of Moses in the New law of Christ, summed up in the sermon on the mount

Question 2

Natural Law

Answer 2

Moral order designed by God at creation, and if people work in harmony with natural law they will be living as they should.Christians should follow as it is what God intended and established

Question 3

Conscience

Answer 3

The Church teaches that the voice of conscience is the voice of God and Christians should follow it. This was reinforced by St Paul and St Aquinas for Christians to follow their conscience or moral decision- making. Christians should follow their conscience if it tells them the church is wrong. However some Christians are doubtful or even mistake the voice of God and their conscience

Question 4

Teachings of Church

Answer 4

Most Catholics would use teachings of the magisterium as authoritative guidance because it is the guidance given by the Pope and bishops inspired by the Holy Spirit

Question 5

Implication for Christians today

Answer 5

-The example and teaching of Jesus say nothing about contraception and gay marriage
-Catholics might use conscience for decisions with gay marriage or supplying condoms to an AIDS sufferer
-Others might use conscience or authority of Jesus or Church to reject their conscience