Honoring Parents
When does a child NOT have to obey his parents?
1. If they command him to do something evil
2. If he does not live at home
When does the Catholic Church believe that people should obey their governments?
How does the Church define abortion?
The direct and intentional ending of a pregnancy by murdering the unborn child in the womb.
When does the Church teach that we are allowed to defend ourselves?
When our safety or lives are in danger or the lives and safety of others.
Loyalty to what family is more important than obeying one's earthly parents?
The family of the Church
What is the dual meaning of the phrase "faithful citizenship" for Catholics?
1. Catholics are to be faithful citizens of their own country and participate in politics.
2. We are first to be faithful to God, and then to the government.
Why is it not always wrong for humans to kill animals, but it is wrong for humans to murder other humans?
When God created humans in the Bible, He gave them authority over animals and the rest of creation. Humans don't have authority over the lives of other humans though.
Why does the Church believe that abortion isn't okay even if the child was conceived by rape?
Because the child still has the same human dignity that everyone else has, despite the sins of the father or the horrible way the child was conceived.
Why does the Church condemn euthanasia?
Because it is the direct murder of an innocent human life. We do not have the authority to end someone's life in these situations, even if the person is suffering.
Where does respect and obedience toward one's parents come from?
From being grateful for being given the gift of life by them and the love they have shown their children.
How are Catholics supposed to act toward governing authorities who have different views than them?
We are to still give respect to those in authority, even if we disagree with them because they have God-given authority.
Name 2 other sins that fall under the 5th Commandment besides literal murder.
1. Scandal
2. Depriving the poor of needed resources
3. Selling unsafe products like drugs
4. Verbal abuse
When does the Church condemn genetic engineering? When is it okay?
Condemn: When people use it to predetermine qualities of children such as gender, eye color, etc.
Allow: To prevent diseases or physical disabilities in the child in the womb as long as the treatment won't hurt the child.
When does the Church allow cremation?
When the ashes are buried like any body would be, and when someone chooses cremation for reasons that don't deny the Christian faith.
What is a responsibility that parents have toward their children?
1. Guard and encourage them
2. Do things for the good of the children rather than exalt their power over them.
3. Educate them in the Catholic faith.
What is civil disobedience?
We are permitted to disobey civil law in cases where it orders us to do something immoral because God's law is higher than human law.
What are the 2 reasons that the Church condemns murder?
1. It attacks human dignity and the image of God in a person.
2. It takes away God's exclusive right to start and end human life.
A woman who has a life-threatening pregnancy cannot have a direct abortion without sinning. But what 2 options does she have to protect her own life and that of her child?
1. She may heroically decide to wait and give birth before receiving treatment that could otherwise harm her baby.
2. If waiting risks her own life and her baby's, she may receive treatment even if it might unintentionally harm or kill her child.
Why does the Church teach that the death penalty shouldn't be used in modern times?
In times past, the death penalty protected society from dangerous criminals. Now, we can lock them away for life because of the security of modern prisons. Thus, the Church asks that the death penalty be abolished since it attacks human dignity.
When must a child obey his parents?
2. What is being asked is not immoral.
3. What is being asked is for his good and that of the family.
When can Catholics vote for candidates who support evil laws?
When opposing candidates support law that are even more evil.
What does it mean that human beings were created in God's image and likeness?
We have free will and the ability to reason and love, just as God does. We are a reflection of God to the rest of creation.
When does the Church condemn prenatal testing? When is it okay?
Condemn: When done with the intention of deciding whether or not to abort the child.
Allow: If it doesn't harm the unborn child and is done for the purposes of protecting and healing the child while in the womb or after birth.
Name the 4 conditions of a just war
1. The war is fought to defend one’s nation. It's certain that the aggressor is causing serious and lasting damage that needs to be stopped.
2. All peaceful alternatives to war have been tried and failed.
3. There must be a serious likelihood of success in the war.
4. The use of weapons must not cause greater evils than the evils that we are trying to eliminate in the war.