Relativism and respect for God

1. Relativism and respect for God

2. Enlightenment Philosophy • Descartes – Locke – Kant - Mill • Logical conclusion of the enlightenment - Nietzsche - 19th Century German philosopher • Stated that there was no such thing as morality • Purpose of human life is will to power - to be in control – complete focus on self • Life is a struggle for power among humans

3. Relativism • Relativism - There is no universal moral law that applies to everyone • The Individual decides what is right in a given situation. • Christian morality – Applying moral law (revelation and reason) to specific situations • Individual tries to discern what is right in a given situation, but may be wrong.

4. c.s. Lewis – reply to objections of moral law • Morality = Herd instinct • Moral law actually judges our instinct • What we ought to do (Moral Law) when desires conflict • Often what we ought to do (Moral Law) goes against our instincts • No instinct is always good; right thing at the right time is guided by Moral Law

5. c.s. Lewis – reply to objections of moral law • Morality = what we are taught/social convention • Just because we are taught something by humans does not mean humans invented it • Similar moral themes in different cultures • We can judge other moral systems • For example, if there were no moral law, we could not judge the Nazi’s moral system.

6. Replies to relativism • Relativist when it benefits us. • We react when something is not fair • Rationalize our bad behavior • Negative reaction to immoral behavior - killing, cheating, lying • Need avoid extremes of being judgmental and overly tolerant • We don’t know the whole story, cannot judge the person • We do know the consequences, can judge the actions

7. Homework • Read pages 81-86 • Reflect on what you may put at the center of your lives instead of God. • Reflect on the St. Augustine quote – “Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshipped.”

8. Errors in Judgment of conscious

9. The First Commandment • “I am the Lord, your God; you shall not have strange Gods before me.” • Basis for all the commandments by putting faith, hope, and love in God first and foremost. • Rooted in God, these theological virtues do not disappoint.   • Growth in faith, hope, and love through adoration, prayer, sacrificial living, and fulfilling baptismal promises

12. Hierarchy of goodness • Physical creation, Plant life, animal life, people, God • What is above and next to us should be loved, never used. • What is below should be used (stewardship) and not loved

13. The Third commandment • “Keep holy the Sabbath” • Movement from Saturday to Sunday • Prioritize your week – first day is God’s day • Seeking balance in life • Reminder of God’s saving power • Seek support of the community • Spiritual nourishment = Eucharist! • Time for family and service • What might you do this weekend to observe the Sabbath more fully?

14. Idolatry today • “Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshipped.” St. Augustine quote

15. The second commandment • “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” • The holy name of God • Importance of names • Revelation of God’s name • Reverence for God, creation, and others • Do we use the gift of language to build up or tear down? • Keeping sacred commitments • “Only one who fully commits is truly free to live the full life God intends for us.”