Activity

A. Individual Work

Before we venture into the nature and reality of sin and its relationship to Christian living, let us
do the following exercise. It is designed to make you think about some basic attitudes toward sin
and morality. Please check the statements you agree with. State briefly your opinion or view on
the ideas expressed.

__/__1. Sin has to do with breaking the rules and regulations of the Church.

 Yes, sin has to do with breaking the rules and regulations of the Church because sin is
an offense against God.

____2. What's wrong is what I think is wrong.

 No, what we think is wrong is not always considered wrong because it will be considered as
wrong if its outcomes can really harm.

_/___3. Some actions are wrong even if I don't think they are wrong. They may be wrong in
themselves and for others but not necessarily for me.

 Yes because sometimes what you think is right may actually be wrong. What we usually
do is arrive at a conclusion independently of conscious reasoning and then, and only if
required, search for reasons as to why we might be right.
_/___4. Today, the problem is that evil and sin are condoned or tolerated by many people in
society. The world abounds with violence, pornography, war, corruption, and lies.

 Yes, because a lot of us are spreading hate and evil in the world. We focus on the worldy
things rather than following the will of God.

____5. What I don't like is someone telling me it's wrong to smoke marijuana while he/she
himself/herself drinks alcohol. This is phoniness to me, and phoniness is the worst sin of all.

 Each of us can't follow God perfectly and often we fear to admit our similarities to each
other. Phoniness is not the worst sin of all because all sin is the same. Every sin, from
anger to murder, from white lies to adultery, will lead to eternal condemnation (James
4:17; Romans 6:23). All sin, no matter how “small,” goes against the nature and will of
an infinite and eternal God and is therefore deserving of an infinite and eternal
punishment (Isaiah 13:11). In this sense, there is no “worst” sin.

____6. I don't like going to church. It bores me. I would rather take a walk in the woods and
worship God in my own way.

 Church reconnects us to our shared beliefs. The Church is not a sect or religious group
over against others. According to Vatican II, the Church "is a kind of sacrament or sign
of intimate union with God, and of the unity of all mankind. She is also an instrument for
the achievement of such union and unity."

_/___7. I perceive sin primarily in terms of relationship. Every time I do something to harm my
relationship with God or a neighbor, I commit a sin. This includes attitudes I have towards them.

 Yes, I agree with this because anything we do to hurts others is a sin in God's eye.
__/__8. Morality and sin are quite confusing to me. When I was in grade school, things were
much more "cut-and-dried." Mental sickness and circumstances were not used as excuses as they
are largely regarded so today.

•Yes, it is quite confusing to me because I think we should not blame insanity, the environment,
defective social arrangements, bad luck, society, hypocrites, or friends for our transgressions

After you have responded to the above statements, discuss with a partner your attitudes toward
sin and morality. Then, write briefly your basic attitude toward sin.

 My partner and I discuss our attitudes toward sin and morality and we both agree that morality
are grounded in moral beliefs of right and wrong action. Not all attitudes are concerned with
morality. Meanwhile our attitude with sins is that it is a heavy burden when we sin it is saying
"no" to God, it is an offense to God commandments.

 My basic attitude toward sin is that we should have proper attitude towards our sin. First we
should admit that we are guilty with our sins. Secondly, we must admit that we are personally
responsible for our sins. Third, we should hate sins, refrain to do sin and resist sin and pray not
to be led with temptation.

EVALUATION

Guide Questions

1. How does sin disrupt our relationship with God and with one another?

 Genesis describes sin as the breaking of personal relationship with God. Sin severs the
relationship not only of dependence but also friendship. The break in this personal
relationship with God introduces a disharmony in human relationships. The attempt at
self-fulfillment alienates Adam and Eve from each other. They yearn for each other while
 at the same time seeking to dominate each other. Whereas, before the fall, Adam saw Eve
as a supreme gift from God, now, he despises her as "that woman whom you gave."
Having failed to supersade God, Adam and Eve experience weakness and insecurity.
They are shamed by their exposure to each other as betrayers of God, and, thus, potential
betrayers of each other. Man and woman as represented by Adam and Eve have been
called to share in God's dominion over creation. But their expulsion from the garden is a
consequence of sin which symbolize their loss of dominion over the forces of bature, and
heralds their subjection to the ravages of the material world.

2. How can we, as Christians, stop the proliferation of sin in our society?

There is nothing we can do to prevent sin from spreading in our culture.

The morality police are not the disciples of Christ. We don't have the authority to convict
individuals of sin and unrighteousness in their life, nor do we have the authority to force
them to repent. These are the results of the Holy Spirit's work, yet we are not Him.

We can only convey the gospel message because it is the only thing that has the power to
change people's hearts and lives. Those who accept our teaching will form a connection
with God, and He will be the one to deal with their sin. And we should live as better
example of Jesus for many people to be drawn to faith rather than drag away to it.

3. Does mortal sin really lead us away from God? How?

Yes, mortal sin lead us away from God because Mortal sim presupposes full knowledge of the
sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God's law. It also implies a complete consent
sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not
diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin.

Mortal sin destroy's charity in our heart through a grave violation of God's law. It gurns away
from God who is the ultimate end and the supreme beatitude by preffering an inferior god over
Him. Venial sin allows charity to subsist, even though it offends and wounds charity.
4. Why do we still need the mercy of God in our present "redeemed" nature?

The Church teaches us that sin is a kind of virus that infects attitudes, family structures,
individuals, and other social groups. Only the forgiveness and mercy of Christ can cure this
creeping sickness that slowlt ears up order in society. We all need to be converted to have a heart
like that of Christ, ever meek, gentle, and forgiving. The grace of God will always help us to be
reconciled to Him. The sacrament of reconciliation will lead us back to Him if we are sincere and
humble of heart.

Activity

In our attempt to answer the question "What is conscience?", several situations are given below
which call for a "conscience response." Read each situation carefully and try to resolve the
problem presented.

Hopefully, this activity will guide you in making the right decisions whenever you find yourself
in similar situations. This will also help you become more prudent next time, and to make things
happen smoothly and accordingly.

Situation A

You go to a school whose academic standard are high, and which requires excellent grades
from students. This situation is further complicated by your demanding parents who expect you
to do well. You have pretty good grades during your first three years in college. You are now in
your senior year, and in one of you major subjects, your professor has been quite unfair. She has
planned a difficult test for you and your classmates. You know from past experience that half of
the students in class cheat during exams, thus ruining any chance for a curve. You have studied
quite hard, but you know that unless you cheat, many others will get higher grades than you.
What would you do?

List four reasons why you should cheat and four reasons why you should not. Then, decide
whether you will cheat or not.

FOUR REASONS WHY I SHOULD CHEAT

1. If I cheat I can get high score in the test

2. If I cheat I can maintain my excellent grades

3. If I cheat and have excellent grades, my parents will be happy and proud of me

4. If I cheat I will get higher grades than everyone.

FOUR REASONS WHY I SHOULD NOT CHEAT

1. Cheating is lying

2. I should not cheat so that I can make offense against God.

3. If I cheat I will not really learn anything from my lessons.

4. If I cheat I will disrespect my teachers who work hard in creating the test.

DECISION:

 I will not cheat because no matter how tempting it is to cheat to get higher grades, maintain
good grades and make my parents proud I know that I should resist doing it because it is a sin
and at the end of the day, I am only lying to myself too and it will only mean that I didn't learn
anything.

Situation B
 A good friend offers you prohibited drugs for you "to get high." Initially, you hesitate and
refuse. He tries to convince you by saying that his experience which drugs is quite fun. Besides,
he says, you cannot really hurt anyone but yourself. He adds that it is your business and nobody
else's if you take drugs or not. The law and your parents should not prevent you from fully
enjoying yourself. Would you accept the offer and experiment with drugs?

Give four reasons for taking the drugs and four reasons for not taking them. Then, decide
whether you will take the drugs or not.

FOUR REASONS WHY I SHOULD TAKE DRUGS

1. When I'll take drugs I'll get high.

2. If I'll take drugs I'll fit in and make my friend happy because I follow her advice

3. If I take drugs can escape, relax and have fun

4. If I take drugs I can experiment and experience how to get high

FOUR REASONS WHY I SHOULD NOT TAKE DRUGS

1. Drugs can affect my overall health

2. If I take drugs and get high I might hurt others unintentionally.

3. Drugs are illegal I might be convicted or pay for fines for taking drugs.

4. If I take drugs and get addicted with it it may cause me financial burden since drugs are pricey.

DECISION

 I will not take drugs because it can damage my whole life. As a follower of God, it is my
responsibility to take good care of my body/self because I don't own this, God only lend me this.
I also don't want to unintentionally hurt or do harm with others.

Situation C

Your post-high school career has taken you into the Marines. Your country is at war with a
nation that is heading toward communism. You respect the law and deeply believe in the values
of your own country. One day, your group is ordered to attack and totally destroy a small barrio.
The barrio is suspected of hiding a band of terrorists, but is also known to be populated by old
people and small children. Should you attack?

Give four reasons why you should attack and four reasons why you should not attack. Then,
decide whether you will attack or not.

FOUR REASONS WHY I SHOULD ATTACK

1. I was ordered to attack and I should follow the command

2. If I attack we will catch the band of terrorist

3. If I attack it means that I respect my superior

4. If I attack I can help my county towards its goal of communism

FOUR REASONS WHY I SHOULD NOT ATTACK

1. If I attack a lot of old people and small children in the small bario might get hurt

2. If I attack and their is really no band of terrorist hiding it would turn out useless

3. I should not attack to maintain peace

4. I should not attack so that I can't do harm and involved innocent people

DECISON:

 I will not attack even if it means that I'm refusing my superior order because I don't want
innocent people like the old people and small children get involved and harm them. And I think
there is still other way to catch the band of terrorist without using violence.

Form into four or five groups and discuss the following questions:

1. Is cheating right? Does the argument "because everyone else is doing it" make it right? Is it
right to say that it's better to cheat than to repeat? Can you think of some consequences for
society if morality is based on this argument?
No. Cheating is a breach of contract. While morality is not an objective concept, violating a contract is as
close as we can get to an absolute act of evil.

No, not because everyone else is doing it then it is right.

No, let us say you didn't repeat but you're just lying to yourself too because you haven't learn anything
and someday it might just get back to you.

2. Will your decision on whether or not to take the drugs be different if the drugs referred to are
marijuana or shabu? Do parents and society have the right to limit "fun"?

No, my decision will be the same even if it is marijuana or shabu I will still not take it because it
can damage my whole life, my future. I think no but as human being we should be responsible
enough and be aware of our limits. Our definition of fun should not offense our relationship with
God and the people around us.

3. Are you always obliged to follow authority? Where do you the line between disobedience to
the law and to your conscience?

No, I don't we should not obliged to follow authority especially if we know that it is not
something that should be done.

ACTIVITY

A. Individual Work

This activity shows the importance of observing laws in your day-to-day living and in your
relationship or encounter with other people. Share your answers to the following questions with a
classmate.

1. Is it true that sin has to do with the breaking of rules and regulations formulated and imposed
by the Church? Why?
No, I don't think so. Sin has nothing to do with the breaking of rules and regulations formulated and
imposed by the Church because some people may operate under their own set of rules. To find out what
'rules' not to break, all you need is a Bible. Sin is defined as a person's knowledge that what they are
doing is wrong. That can come from either the conscience God gave you or the laws you've read about
him.

2. Why is it important to have laws? Can you live without them?

It is important to have laws because law helps not only in improving the society but also in
assuring the betterment if individuals within the society. No, we can't live without law because it
serves as a guide to promote what is right. In the Bible, when God chose the Israelites as His
people, He gave them laws they should follow. When the Israelites obeyed the laws of God
which He gave through His servant Moses, they lived abundantly and happily; but whenever
they steered away from His percepts, their lives became miserable. In the books of Exodus and
Leviticus, we find many passages that speak of God's laws such as those concerning society (Ex.
22:15-30) and religion(Ex. 23). Also in Exodus, we find the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20).

3. Enumerate some house rules and school policies and regulations. What is your attitude
towards these laws?

SOME HOUSE RULES;

1. Treat People and Property With Respect

2. Knock on Closed Doors Before Entering

3. Practice Good Dental and Body Hygiene

4. Put your dishes in the dishwasher when you're done eating.

SOME SCHOOL POLICIES INCLUDES;

1. Dress Regulations
2. Uphold and Practice Good Manners

3. All students must be at school on time.

4. Physical behaviour between students will not be tolerated and may result in suspension.

5. No knives, explosives or dangerous materials may be brought into the school or boarding houses

6. Students may not bring alcohol into the school, nor have it on their possession, nor consume it.

My attitude towards these laws are it is important to follow these because it promotes harmony and
peace in your environment. When policies and regulations are followed it creates environment that is
peaceful where people can coexist.

4. Can you break laws, rules, and regulations without any harmful consequences? Why?

Yes, we can break laws, rules, and regulations without any harmful consequences depending on
the laws you break. Because unfortunately, once you enter the real world, things aren't nearly so
simple, and you shouldn't expect society to reward you for "following the rules." You just cannot
do anything without abiding by the norms of braking. As a result, nothing happens unless rules
are broken. Every day, we breach a lot of regulations. On the subject of rules, people are divided.
People follow their own set of rules and break the rules of others and break it in their all the time.
It really depends on what do you mean by "rules." Violating the law does not sound a good idea
and not violating them just keeps you out of trouble. But there are many moral and unwritten
rules - more or less enforced by the society or not enforced at all. Those rules - many of them -
we violate all the time.

5. As a Christian, what laws of God do you obey or try to live by? Have you been successful in
doing so? Why?
As a Christian, the laws of God that I do obey and try to live by is His Ten Commandments. I
can't say that I have been always successful in doing so but everyday I'm doing my best to obey
Him and refrain doing something that is against Him.

EVALUATION

Guide Questions

1. What are the differences between the law in the Old Testament and the law in the New
Testament?

St. Paul finds a particularly striking difference and even a contradiction between the Old Law
and the New Law in that the Old Law is an external, written code while the law of Christ is a law
of the Spirit: "For the written code skills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3:6). Therefore,
Christians are to "serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit" (Rom.
7:6). The New Testament is a covenant in the Holy Spirit who has been poured forth into the
hearts of men (Rom. 5:5), and who leads and teaches them from within (Rom. 8:14). Therefore,
it says in the Scriptures: "I will put my laws into their minds" (Heb. 8:10):. From the living
communion with Christ flows the "law of Christ" as an inward law.the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2) that Christians not only know but also fulfill "the just requirement of
the law" (Rom. 8:4).

2. Why are the Beatitudes important to our modes of Christian response?

Reflection on the Beatitudes helps us understand that they propose norms of Christian life
without are more specific than the commandment "to love as Jesus does" (the first principles of
Christian morality). Yet, thay are not so specific as definite norms of Christian life, norms
identifying the precise human choices and acts that one is called upon to do here and now in
carrying out his/her unique personal vocafion. They are rather modes of Christians response
internal Christian disposition or virtues linked traditionally (as in the thoughts of St. Augustine
and St. Thomas Aquinas) to the "gifts" of the Holy Spirit as enumerated in Is. 11:1: "And the
Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of
counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord." The Christian tradition, relying
on the Vulgate translation of Isaiah, added the "spirit of piety" as one of the "gifts" of the Holy
Spirit.

3. In what real-life situations have you applied the principle of double effect and its four
conditions? Is your action morally justifiable or not?

4. How does epikeia work in your daily life? Can you any experience on epikeia ?

5. How often do you use your conscience in choosing an alternative course of action, and in
making a decision?

NALZARO, RENA JOCELLE C.

BSA 2 - ABM A

RS 3 Midterm Exam

Test I.

1. A

2. B

3. C

4&5. B
Test II.

1. Give the sources of morality of human act?

-Object/Act Itself

-Circumstances

- Intention

2. Give the modifiers of human acts?

• Ignorance

• Fear

• Concupiscence or Passion

• Violence

• Habits

Test III.

1. What is the importance or value of the sources of morality of human acts?

The importance/value of Moral value is that The sources of the morality of human acts help us judge
whether an act is good or bad. The quality of a moral act is determined by the object, circumstances,
and intention. All three elements must be met for a moral act to be judged good. If any of these three
factors are missing, the conduct is considered morally evil. If an act is morally good in and of itself, its
morality will be determined by the circumstances. Our actions are all founded on our moral convictions.
We act and do not act in accordance with our values of right and wrong. It is the foundation of our
behaviors, as well as all of our ideas and opinions about it.
2. Which among the modifiers of human acts is the most difficult to overcome? Why?

Among the modifiers of human acts, fear is the most difficult for me to overcome because a lot of times
I become overwhelmed with it. I fear because some outcome are unknowns and I love to find peace in
knowing. When we don't know what will happen next, we make up situations in our head that end up
fear. It is indeed hard not to fear but I need to cope up with my fear so it won't stop me from living my
life.

NALZARO, RENA JOCELLE

BSA-2 ABM-A

1. How is the Christian perspective different from other views on the human person?

Christian perspective is different from other views on the human person because in the Christian
perspective, a person is a creature made in the image of God, fallen, but is given a life un the likeliness
of Christ as an active agent in the history of salvation. By being created in the very image of God, a
person's very activity of thinking and loving-in fact, his/ her very being-reflects the beauty, the wisdom,
and the love of the Creator.

2. Do all people including non-believers have dignity as that of a Christian?

3 How do you relate with other people (parents, siblings, friends, classmates, person in authorities)?

Persons are open and relational by nature. No man/woman is an island;, we grow into our full selves as
persons only in relating to others. Being a person means being by others (our conception, birth, and
upbringing), being with others (our family, friends, neighbors, and business associates), and being for
others (love and service). This is how we have been created by God -as social beings.

Relating to other people is a process. For me, I relate with other people by connecting with them. I
make time to get to know them throughly, listening to them and putting my own self in their position so
that I can understand them better. I also relate with them by being patient and understanding their
shortcomings and trying my best in helping them to further improve themself.

4. How do you describe your relationship with God? Is He near you? Is He far? Why?

My relationship with God is always been near. Everytime I need Him, He is always with me. When I'm
facing struggles, a lot of times it feels so hopeless but God always give me hope, He give me reason to
believe. Even on times that I drifted apart from Him, I still always feel Him with me and there's no
second in my life that He is far. Every action and decision I do, it always brings me to closer to Him.
5. If a person acts out of knowledge but without freedom, is he/she still responsible? Explain your
answer.

If a person acts out of knowledge but without freedom, he is not responsible because she is not free to
do things according to his/her knowledge and it is against to her will. Therefore, he/she is not
responsible/liable for his/her actions.