freedom

Question 1

how does one achieve true freedom

Answer 1

true freedom comes from speaking the word of God without hesitant or thinking about the costs associate and the person is free from internal and external restriction

Question 2

external factors

Answer 2

factors outside ourselves that threaten or destroy our power to exercise choice

• more external freedom = greater scope of choices that will contribute to our happiness
• if a person is suffering starvation, they may be coerced into actions to meet basic needs

Question 3

internal factors

Answer 3

factors that come from our interior that inhibit our freedom of choice
- e.g. freedom from fear and addiction

Question 4

why people fail to find true freedom

Answer 4

consumerism
strong desires
blindness to injustice
stress, anxiety
ignorance of moral principles
sense of self-sufficiency 
government
social conditions

Question 5

catholic: define freedom

Answer 5

capacity to follow Christ and direct ourselves towards goodness
“Authentic freedom is an exceptional sign of the divine image within man. For God has made man “under the control of his won decisions” so that he can seek his creator spontaneously and come freely to utter and blissful perfection through loyalty to him” GeS

Question 6

catholic: worldly possessions and freedom

Answer 6

more riches one has the greater distance there is between you and God and this restricts freedom

Question 7

catholic: achieving true freedom today

Answer 7

accept Jesus in your life and be in harmony with God
Jesus gave us the freedom not to be subject to sin through his resurrection
must detach ourselves from possessions

Question 8

catholic: conscience

Answer 8

deep inside everyone is a law that summons one to love good and avoid evil
by having freedom you are free to listen to conscience

Question 9

secular: define freedom

Answer 9

secular understanding of freedom often sees “It perversely as a license for doing whatever pleases them even if it is evil (Gaudium et Spes)
the right to choose, right to do and have something you desire without restrictions

Question 10

secular: worldly possessions and freedom

Answer 10

the more money one has the more liberty and freedom they have

Question 11

secular: achieving true freedom today

Answer 11

being politically free - freedom of religion and to have basic human rights
cant ever really be free as there are laws which govern society

Question 12

secular: conscience

Answer 12

conscience is often sacrificed for the concept of democracy and what is deemed to be popular

Question 13

freedom and gods original plan

Answer 13

• the desire or yearning for freedom is part of being human and has a purpose
• first revealed in creation stories, catholics believe that all God creates is good, people are created in Gods image, begin existence knowing and relating fully to God
• created with free will and the ability to choose the goodness and love that God offers all

Question 14

human sinfullness

Answer 14

• first humans made choices that reject God and thus harming relationship
• Genesis 11 God reaches out to people through abraham with intention of calling people back to God, freely make choice

Question 15

the will of God

Answer 15

Gods will is not forced on people. God desires that each person comes to know and love God. love cannot be forced and demands a free response. the human person has the freedom to choose - free will

Question 16

free will

Answer 16

• required for a person to possess moral responsibility
• human person has the freedom to choose good from evil
• if a person voluntarily makes a choice they are responsible
• “Man, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom, disobeyed Gods command” (CCC 397)

Question 17

CCC 397

Answer 17

“Man, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom, disobeyed Gods command”

Question 18

freedom in the old testament

Answer 18

• people can harm their relationship, experience consequences of their choices then through the efforts of God they’re brought back
• consequences of harming relationship is slavery, return is liberation

Question 19

Jesus as the source of freedom

Answer 19

• Jesus and his incarnation, life, ministry, passion, death and resurrection
• in CT, Jesus is presented as reversing the choice of A&E
• Jesus both shows and empowers people in their search for true freedom

Question 20

what 3 things must someone do to follow jesus

Answer 20

• know jesus, if you dont, you cant relate to him and draw upon the freedom he offers
• know his teachings, how they relate to your life
• relate to jesus personally and live as he taught

Question 21

freedom in the new testament

Answer 21

letter to the Ephesians (1:3-4, 13-19)

- jesus as the source of freedom

Question 22

Galatians 5:1

Answer 22

for freedom christ has set us free: stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery

Question 23

2 Corinthians 3:17

Answer 23

now the lord is the spirit and where the spirit of the lord is there is freedom

Question 24

acts 10:43

Answer 24

to him all prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name

Question 25

Psalm 118:5

Answer 25

out of distress I called on the lord; the lord answered me and set me free

Question 26

define conscience

Answer 26

a persons most secret core and sanctuary a complex process, the process of making moral judgement leads people to understand themselves as responsible for their actions and guides them to do good rather than bad

Question 27

3 elements of any moral decision

Answer 27

- the object chosen - the end circumstances or the intention - the circumstances of the action

Question 28

four principles of coscience

Answer 28

- your obliged to form your own conscience - follow sincere conscience judgement - does not decide right from wrong - a good end doesn't justify immoral means

Question 29

external structures that assist in search for freedom

Answer 29

laws of god, sacraments, 10 commandments, the beatitudes

Question 30

the ten commandments

Answer 30

- knowledge of what is morally right and wrong - enhances peoples freedom by teaching us morally good behaviour's that protect the dignity and integrity of everyone - without the guidance of Gods wisdom we lack the knowledge to make good choices - prevents us from sinning and making wrong choices - set us free from slavery and sin, free to make good moral choices that align with gods teachings

Question 31

the beatitudes

Answer 31

- Jesus' moral teachings found in the sermon on the mount - when we know God better we are more equipped to discern and understand gods will - help set us free from the control of material things and selfish impulses - remedy towards our slavery to sin caused by adam and eve - can only find true happiness and freedom through God, to get closer to god we need a strong relationship with him through the 10 commandments and beatitudes

Question 32

natural law

Answer 32

moral law is natural because it is known by reason and not written out moral bc it apples only to moral acts - actions of humans that involve an act of free will

Question 33

divine law

Answer 33

- revealed by the 10 commandments, Jesus' great commandments etc - law that comes directly from the will of God in contrast to manmade law - totally dependent upon human narrators and closely related to different cultures

Question 34

consumerism

Answer 34

- belief that personal wellbeing and happiness is dependent on a very large level of consumption - centre of happiness is material good

Question 35

catholic criticisms of consumerism

Answer 35

- leaves the poor behind - rich grow richer - education is only beneficial to elite - goes against the christian belief of solidarity and the common good - people are defined in the measure that they can acquire things - fosters insecurity, greed, envy and lust - distorts our relationships - blinds people to their intrinsic worth and authentic identity