Name
What is the name of the priest who came up with the Theory of American Consensus?
The Reverend John Murry, S.J.
Define Encyclical
Papal letter to be circulated
"An encyclical is an epistle to be circulated among people (to inform others, teach them and communicate with them)"
Which Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is the Theory of American Consensus referring to, in most of its argument?
The First Amendment
Name any Encyclical we discussed in class for this unit.
Dignitatis Humanae, Libertas, Mirari vos, Quanta Cura
Which teaching of the Church does Dignitatis Humanae emphasize as strongly as it does with religious freedom? (to balance out)
One's obligation to truth (and one's responsibility to bring others to the same truth)
What is the name of the religious organization to which Fr. John Courtney Murry belonged?
The Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Define Natural Law
Human Reason or the commandments written by God in human hearts
Give TWO major points of the Theory of American Consensus and briefly explain what they are about
-One nation under God
-The natural law tradition
-Principle of consent of the governed
-Successful democracy presupposes a virtuous citizenry
-Rights as a social necessity
Explain the difference between an Epistle and a Letter.
Epistle: public
Letter: private
Which Council of the Church declare that there can be salvation outside the Church, as long as it is through the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ?
The Second Vatican Council
Name one theologian who criticized the Theory of American Consensus and briefly explain what this criticism was about.
George: Separation of Truth and Freedom
Schindler: Religious freedom often leads to freedom from religion and right to error
Baxter: Catholics already divided enough, so how can we preserve the deposit of faith?
Define Religious Pluralism
Diverse religious beliefs and faith-traditions co-exist in the society
Give TWO major points of the Theory of American Consensus and briefly explain what they are about.
-One nation under God
-The natural law tradition
-Principle of consent of the governed
-Successful democracy presupposes a virtuous citizenry
-Rights as a social necessity
What was the name of the Papal Encyclical written by Pope Paul VI which recognized Religious Freedom as basic human right?
Dignitatis Humanae
Religious freedom allows for dangerous and deleterious religions to harm innocent people and their lives (but we do not know which standards to use in order to distinguish the good from the bad)
Name the Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who argued that traditional teachings and doctrines can develop, just as the gems found in the treasure trove look different every time we open them.
Cardinal John Henry Newman
Define Agnosticism
"on the fence" with faith (suspension of judgment, neither "yes" nor "no")
Give ONE example of how the Theory of American Consensus may have been outdated or inaccurate.
-Principle of consent of the governed
-> Consensus today? More and more, people are having hard time giving consent to the opposing ideas (we are having hard time honoring and respecting disagreements of any type)
-Successful democracy presupposes a virtuous citizenry
-> Past: Religion and morality seen as necessarily and positively contributing to more virtuous citizenry
-> Consensus today? More and more, people are expecting religions to remain silent on questions of what is virtuous and what is not
- Rights as a social necessity
-> Consensus today: Rights as individual preference (our perspective changed to emphasize individuality over societal identity)
-The U.S. Constitution is innately Christian in its core and its foundation
-> Consensus today?: The society is “agnostic” on God and probably not going to be convinced of Fr. Murry’s theory that there was an “innately Christian conception of God” in U.S.
Name one Papal Encyclical that did NOT recognize Religious Freedom as a basic human right.
Libertas, Mirari Vos, or Quanta Cura
What was one argument defending the Theory of Natural Law we specifically went over together in class?
Name three theologians we discussed in class as critics of the Theory of American Consensus and briefly describe their criticism.
George: Separation of Truth and Freedom
Schindler: Religious freedom often leads to freedom from religion and right to error
Baxter: Catholics already divided enough, so how can we preserve the deposit of faith?
Define Utilitarianism
The greatest good of the greatest number should be our goal (no adherence to absolute moral norms or any value that is permanent, eternal and unchangeable)
Give THREE examples of how the Theory of American Consensus may have been outdated or inaccurate.
-Principle of consent of the governed
-> Consensus today? More and more, people are having hard time giving consent to the opposing ideas (we are having hard time honoring and respecting disagreements of any type)
-Successful democracy presupposes a virtuous citizenry
-> Past: Religion and morality seen as necessarily and positively contributing to more virtuous citizenry
-> Consensus today? More and more, people are expecting religions to remain silent on questions of what is virtuous and what is not
- Rights as a social necessity
-> Consensus today: Rights as individual preference (our perspective changed to emphasize individuality over societal identity)
-The U.S. Constitution is innately Christian in its core and its foundation
-> Consensus today?: The society is “agnostic” on God and probably not going to be convinced of Fr. Murry’s theory that there was an “innately Christian conception of God” in U.S.
Who wrote the encyclical Libertas and what is it about?
Pope Leo XIII wrote it and asserted that religious freedom will undermine the Church's ability to guide people to salvation.
Which philosophical thought replaced the Theory of Natural Law in the modern world?
Utilitarianism