Definition: The principles which adherents of a religion must follow and act according to the set guidelines or rules
Catholic Christianity
Catholic Christians form their ethics around the Ten Commandments, based on how to act in a daily life, and the Catholic Social Teachings, based on bringing social justice, which describe how a Catholic must follow the will of God and that all are made in his image.
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, given to Moses by God in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, these commandments describe how adherents should live their lives as God's will. Disobeying these would result in sin. These commandments also describe some of the core beliefs in Catholicism. for example, "thou shalt have no other Gods before me" describes how Catholicism is a monotheistic religion.
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Dignity of the Human Person
The dignity of a human person implies that all should be treated as equals under God's will, no matter what race, religion, skin colour, moral compass, gender, age or capacity to perform actions. Human life in the Church's eyes in sacred as each is created in the likeness of God. This principle also calls us to avoid conflict and promote peace.
The Common Good
The principle of common good is achieved when people strive to promote peace within a community. According to the Church, common good means to share resources and to treat people equally.
Preferential Option for the Poor:
This principle of the preferential option for the poor causes us to care for all who are more disadvantaged than ourselves (i.e. homeless, sick, vulnerable, etc.), to help them speak up about their issues and conditions and to spread our resources so they can sufficiently live with comfort. This principle doesn't call us to only care about those who are more underprivileged but rather to strengthen a community by helping the conditions which the disadvantaged live in so as to bring them closer to those who can cope easily in life |
Stewardship of Creation:
We are called under the principle of stewardship of creation to help protect the world, which is of God's creation. This , though, does not simply mean to pick up rubbish from the ground, but to also share the resources of the earth equally and fairly, relating back to the principle of the common good.
Subsidiarity and Participation:
The principle of subsidiarity and participation calls us to allow those closely affected in a situation or circumstance to speak their mind freely about it, as well as contributing to the end decision of the situation, rather than a select few deciding what is best for them.
Solidarity:
The principle of solidarity expresses to us that we are all one family, no matter what race or gender or wherever they are in the world, extremely relatable to Matthew 23:29 "Love unto others as you love yourself". Everyone is allowed the benefits of the Declaration of Human Rights and the right to develop communities both nearby and far away.
Rights and Responsibilities:
Under the principle of rights and responsibilities, we are told that it is everyone's right to be respected and it is everyone's responsibility to adhere these rights. This principle ties all other principles into one as we are called to act in accordance to these principles
Aboriginal Spirituality
The ethical principles by which Indigneous Australians must follow are usually told as morals within the Dreaming, generally by the Elders or Teachers of a clan. In many of their stories, shame and humility is a punishment of sorts expressed often if one doesn't act with good spirit, and this has an affect on those who listen to the stories as it reinforces good behaviour according to their clan's beliefs.
Participation within a person's community is also an important factor to the ethics of Aboriginal Spirituality. Each member should share resources and take only as much as they need, rather than exploiting the land and gathering everything all at once. This relates to their belief that all things are sacred and extends further on the emphasis that it should also be preserved.
Participation within a person's community is also an important factor to the ethics of Aboriginal Spirituality. Each member should share resources and take only as much as they need, rather than exploiting the land and gathering everything all at once. This relates to their belief that all things are sacred and extends further on the emphasis that it should also be preserved.
Islamic Religion
Ethical principles in Islam are classified into five categories:
• Wajib - The Obligatory - The rules by which one must follow generally are found under the Five Pillars of Islam:
• praying five times a day
• annual pilgrimage to Mecca
• announcing faith
• giving to the poor
• fasting during the month of Ramadan
• Haram - The Prohibited - This can relate to rules regarding:
•food consumption - it is forbidden to eat carnivorous or omnivorous animals, to drink alcohol, to eat non-halal (legal) animal products, to eat shellfish or to eat birds of prey
• insulting Allah and/or his messengers
• gambling
• cursing/ swearing
• Mandub - The Supererogatory - This ethical principle is not necessarily compulsory in Islam, but if one does complete this, it is considered to be deserving of praise and reward. There is no actual punishment though if an adherent does not fulfil this.
• Makruh - The Disfavoured - This principle is one of great importance. Even though it is not as serious as what would be haram (illegal), it is to be avoided as all costs. Instead of performing makruh events, one is told to strive for compassion and love, as it is believed there is a better chance at a stronger connection with Allah and his gifts.
• Mubah - The Indifferent - This principle relates to certain situations which are both prohibited yet recommended. For instance, one can choose whether to sleep or sit, as it is neither forbidden nor suggested, it is of one's own doing. Another instance is with halal (legal) and tayyib (pure). All things that are halal are allowed in the religion and do not affect it in any way. Things that are tayyib are pure and cleansed from halal, however, even though all things that are tayyib are halal, all things that are halal are not always tayyib.
• Wajib - The Obligatory - The rules by which one must follow generally are found under the Five Pillars of Islam:
• praying five times a day
• annual pilgrimage to Mecca
• announcing faith
• giving to the poor
• fasting during the month of Ramadan
• Haram - The Prohibited - This can relate to rules regarding:
•food consumption - it is forbidden to eat carnivorous or omnivorous animals, to drink alcohol, to eat non-halal (legal) animal products, to eat shellfish or to eat birds of prey
• insulting Allah and/or his messengers
• gambling
• cursing/ swearing
• Mandub - The Supererogatory - This ethical principle is not necessarily compulsory in Islam, but if one does complete this, it is considered to be deserving of praise and reward. There is no actual punishment though if an adherent does not fulfil this.
• Makruh - The Disfavoured - This principle is one of great importance. Even though it is not as serious as what would be haram (illegal), it is to be avoided as all costs. Instead of performing makruh events, one is told to strive for compassion and love, as it is believed there is a better chance at a stronger connection with Allah and his gifts.
• Mubah - The Indifferent - This principle relates to certain situations which are both prohibited yet recommended. For instance, one can choose whether to sleep or sit, as it is neither forbidden nor suggested, it is of one's own doing. Another instance is with halal (legal) and tayyib (pure). All things that are halal are allowed in the religion and do not affect it in any way. Things that are tayyib are pure and cleansed from halal, however, even though all things that are tayyib are halal, all things that are halal are not always tayyib.