religion final exam - morality Flashcards
abortion
the deliberate termination of a pregnancy by killing the unborn child. It is a grave sin and a crime against human life
absolution
an essential part of penance, in which the priest pardons the sins of the person confessing, in the name of God and the Church
covenant
a solemn agreement between human beings or between God and a human in which mutual commitments are made
culpability
to be guilty of wrongdoing
conscience
the interior voice of a person, a God-given sense of the law of God. Moral conscience leads people to understand themselves as responsible for their action, and prompts them to do good and evil. To make good judgements, one needs to have a well formed conscience
circumstance
the specific conditions or facts affecting a moral decision. Circumstances can increase or decrease the goodness or evil of an act
cardinal virtues
based on the latin word for “pivot” 4 virtues that are seen as essential for Christian living; prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance
contraception
the deliberate attempt to interfere with the creation of new life as a result of sexual intercourse. It is morally wrong because a married couple must remain open to procreation whenever they engage in sexual intercourse
contrition
to have hatred for our sins and a commitment to not sin again
venial sin
a less serious offense against the will of God that diminishes one’s personal character and weakens but does not rupture one’s relationship with God
object
in moral decision making, the object is the specific thing - an act, word, or thought that is being chosen
intention
the intended outcome or goal of the person choosing the object when making a moral decision
vice
a practice of habit that leads a person to sin
virtue
a habitual and firm disposition to do good
soul
our spiritual principal, it is immortal, and it is what makes us most like God. Our soul is created by God, and he unites it with our physical body at the moment of conception. The soul is the seat of human consciousness and freedom.
free will
the gift from God that allows humans to choose among various actions, for which we are held accountable. It is the basis for moral responsibility
eternal law
the order in creation that reflects God’s will and purpose; it is eternal because it is always true and never changes. All other moral laws are based off of eternal law and reflect the truth of eternal law
Natural Law
the moral law that can be understood through reason. It is our God-given ability to understand what it means to be in right relation ship with God, other people, the world, and ourselves. The basis for natural law is our participation in God’s wisdom and goodness because we are created in divine likness
original sin
2 meanings
1) the sin of the first humans, who disobeyed God’s command by choosing to follow their own and so lost their original holiness and became subject to death
2) the fallen state of human nature that affects every person born into this world
original holiness
the original state of human beings in their relationship with God, sharing in the divine life in full communion with him
original justice
the state of original harmony of our first parents with themselves, each other, and all of creation
theological virtues
the name for the God-given virtues of faith, hope, and love. These virtues enable us to know God as God and lead us to union with him and heart and mind
grace
the free and undeserved gift of God’s loving and active presence in the universe and in our lives, empowering us to respond to his call and to live as his adopted sons and daughters. Grace restores our loving communion with the Holy Trinity, lost by sin
euthanasia
a direct action, or a deliberate lack of action, that causes the death of a person who is handicapped, sick, or dying. It is a violation of the fifth commandment against killing
