Violation of Human Life: Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment

Definition

It is the society’s act of executing a person found guilty of committing a crime (heinous/capital) considered as a threat to the welfare of the society. One example of capital punishment is death penalty.

Common Reasons

·         Retribution

-          Vindication of the rights of the victim

·         Reformation

-          Rehabilitation of the criminal and the society

·         Deterrence

-          Discouraging others from committing the same crime

Catholic Church on Suicide

·         The Church recognizes that the state has the responsibility to protect its citizens and it has the obligation within the justice system for true respect of human dignity.

·         However, Capital Punishment should not be used as an ordinary means within the State’s penal system because:

1.    Instead of vindicating rights it seems to satisfy a spirit of vengeance/ revenge. It encourages the cycle of violence.

2.    It destroys any chance to change.

3.    There is no conclusive proof that it deters others from committing serious crime.

·         The Catholic Church teaching allows for the imposition of the death penalty for the sake of the common good but only under extreme conditions. Thus, capital punishment should not be used as an ordinary means within the State’s penal system.

Reflection

•          What are other possible and effective means which we have to observe and practice in our justice system and in our society to prevent people from committing crimes?

Challenge

•          If bloodless means are sufficient to defend against the aggressor and to protect the safety of persons, public authority should limit itself to such means.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

o    Miranda, Noel P. and Javier, Philip S. III. Called to Follow Christ in True Freedom. Ateneo de Manila University: SIBS Publishing House, Inc., 2006 o    Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Catechism for Filipino Catholics. 2006 o    Astorga, Ma. Christina A., Ph.D. Living the Faith Option: Christian Morality. Quezon City: FNB Educational, Inc.2005 o    Vincent J. Genovesi, S.J. In Pursuit of Love

4th Quarter Performance Task: Fulfilling My Moral Mission

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE (ACTION)

Performance Task      Life is a precious gift from God. As a recipient of this wondrous generosity we manifest our appreciation by valuing not only one’s life but the lives of others as well. Unfortunately, we witness numerous cases of violation and abuse done against the self or others. The signs of times challenge us as followers of Jesus, who “came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10), to promote and defend human life in all its stages by living the virtue of chastity, truth and justice.      As a response to this call, the learners (by expert group) will become video advertisers which will promote their firm advocacy in respecting life and human sexuality, loving truth and justice. The 40-60 second video promotional advertisement will contain appropriate pictures, background music and voice recorded narration which will persuade their audience, their fellow classmates, to adhere to the teachings of Jesus and the church by choosing life over death, chastity over promiscuity and truth and justice over acts of injustices. Rubric:           Standards for evaluation: Video Promotional Advertisement                                 Criteria 5 4 3 2 1 Organization The product’s flow of ideas is exemplarily logical, clear and coherent. The product’s flow of ideas is very satisfactorily logical, clear and coherent. The product’s flow of ideas is satisfactorily logical, clear and coherent. The product’s flow of ideas is fairly logical, clear and coherent. The product’s flow of ideas is not logical, clear and coherent. Clarity of the Theme The product exemplarily exhibits and focuses on the given theme. The product very satisfactorily exhibits and focuses on the given theme. The product satisfactorily exhibits and focuses on the given theme. The product fairly exhibits and focuses on the given theme. The product poorly exhibits and focuses on the given theme. Content The product exemplarily contains appropriate pictures, background music, voice recorded narration and the efficient use of the time limit. The product very satisfactorily contains appropriate pictures, background music, voice recorded narration and the efficient use of the time limit. The product satisfactorily contains appropriate pictures, background music, voice recorded narration and the efficient use of the time limit. The product fairly contains appropriate pictures, background music, voice recorded narration and the efficient use of the time limit. The product poorly contains appropriate pictures, background music, voice recorded narration and the efficient use of the time limit. Persuasive Quality The product exemplarily conveyed the promotion and defense of life through its message.   The product very satisfactorily conveyed the promotion and defense of life through its message.   The product satisfactorily conveyed the promotion and defense of life through its message.   The product fairly conveyed the promotion and defense of life through its message.   The product poorly conveyed the promotion and defense of life through its message.   Faithfulness to the values: respect for life and human sexuality, love for truth and justice These values are exemplary manifested. These values are very satisfactorily manifested. These values are satisfactorily manifested. These values are fairly manifested. These values are poorly manifested. Promptness The product is exemplarily done within the duration of time. The product is very satisfactorily done within the duration of time. The product is satisfactorily done within the duration of time. The product is fairly done within the duration of time. The product is poorly done within the duration of time.

Each expert group has been assigned a topic and a focus. The product should contain contents pertaining and relevant to the assigned topic and focus.   The product should be saved in a CD with a DVD format.  Submission will be on March 05, 2012 (Monday). Time Frame January - concept making and gathering of materials February - finalization of script and moving making First week of March - polishing/ reviewing Please approach your CLE teacher if you have questions or clarifications.  xx, Karen

Violations of Life: Euthanasia

Euthanasia

Definition

·         It is the act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.

·         Etymology: Greek words  “eu” = good and “thanos” = death

·         Also known as mercy killing or death with dignity

Common Reasons

·         to relieve patient from unnecessary, intolerable pain and relatives from burden of caring for the dying person

Catholic Church on Euthanasia

•          Blessed Pope John Paul II: Euthanasia is false mercy because its motivation is the selfish refusal to be burdened.

•          We have to extend compassion to those who are seriously ill which leads to sharing another’s pain and not to kill.

•          The Church is against Euthanasia “since it is the deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person” [EV 65].

•          As stewards of God’s gift of life, we have the responsibility to protect and care for human life, not destroy it.

•          God alone has the absolute power over life and death.

•          To what extent should a dying person who is suffering from an incurable disease receive medical help?

•          It is our duty to give ordinary means.

•          Food, water, air

•          Basic hygiene

•          Medication or procedures that can significantly improve the condition of the patient

•          Measures of alleviating pain for those in sever pain

•          To deliberately deprive patients of these basic requirements is tantamount to killing them.

•          We are under no moral obligation to continue the use of extraordinary means of preserving life which include:

•          Medication or procedure that offer little or no hope of improvement

•          Instruments or methods that cause unnecessary pain

•          Overly expensive means which brings little or no improvement

•          Treatments or procedures that have more negative effects than good

•          Taking away these extraordinary means merely allows the disease to run its course, death is due to sickness and not the deliberate choice of another person

Reflection

•          How can you show your care for the aged, sick and dying members of our community?

•          If a love one is terminally ill, would you resort to euthanasia?

Challenge

•          “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me”  

                          [Matthew 25:36,40]

•          As followers of Christ, we are called to take care of our loved ones, sick or suffering.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

o    Miranda, Noel P. and Javier, Philip S. III. Called to Follow Christ in True Freedom. Ateneo de Manila University: SIBS Publishing House, Inc., 2006 o    Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Catechism for Filipino Catholics. 2006 o    Astorga, Ma. Christina A., Ph.D. Living the Faith Option: Christian Morality. Quezon City: FNB Educational, Inc.2005 o    Vincent J. Genovesi, S.J. In Pursuit of Love o    http://www.answers.com/topic/euthanasia#ixzz1ksgZdJed

Violation of Life: Suicide

Suicide

Definition

It is a willful taking of one’s life caused by longing for rest without conflict. It is the desire to escape pain by getting rid of one self.

Common Reasons

·         extreme depression, despair and hopelessness resulting from rejection or social isolation

·         Psycho- emotional disorder

o    20% has psychiatric disorder (depression)

o    60% has psychopathic  personalities (abnormal lack of empathy + amoral conduct usually stems from neurological disorder which is biological in origin)

Catholic Church on Suicide

·         Catholic Moral Theology rejects every kind of suicide. Everyone is responsible for God’s gift of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it.  It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.

·         Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life thus it is gravely contradicts the just love of self.

·         It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations.

·         Suicide is a rejection of the love for the living God.

Reflection

•          How can we cope with our problems?

•          How can we help a person who does not have a reason to live?

•          How should we treat a person who has suicidal tendencies? How should we treat the family of a person who committed suicide?

Challenge

•          Each of us is ultimately sacred because we are loved by God who creates us from nothing to share in his love.

•          As Christians, we must do in all power to help those tempted to take their own lives to recognize God’s personal love for them, and to continue to “hope in the Lord.”

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

o    Miranda, Noel P. and Javier, Philip S. III. Called to Follow Christ in True Freedom. Ateneo de Manila University: SIBS Publishing House, Inc., 2006 o    Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Catechism for Filipino Catholics. 2006 o    Astorga, Ma. Christina A., Ph.D. Living the Faith Option: Christian Morality. Quezon City: FNB Educational, Inc.2005 o    Vincent J. Genovesi, S.J. In Pursuit of Love

Violation of Human Life: Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse

Definition

          It is the excessive use of substances, especially alcohol, tobacco or drugs. 

Common Reasons

·         “pakikisama” – engage to be accepted

·         “tabooed pleasure” – masarap gawin ang bawal

·         status symbol – “I am already an adult”

·         “rebellion” against authority (ex. Parents, teachers, etc.)

·         “adventure” – curiosity

·         “i am coping with my problems”

Negative Effects

·         “physical harm” – one can inflict harm on himself or others

·         “socio-psycho-emotional hurt [on the user and the family]

·         “addictive dependency” = ruin life

Catholic Church on Substance Abuse

·         “Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God” ( 1 Cor. 6: 19)

·         “ Use your bodies for God’s Glory”

·         Abusive use of these substances is contrary to our dignity as human persons because they damage our health and well being as well as seriously endanger the lives of others.

·         Substance abuse destroys our own true freedom and the freedom of others.

·         It is our obligation to respect our bodies because it is the “temple of the Holy Spirit”.

Reflection

·         As a “temple of the Holy Spirit, how can we take care of our body?

·         How can we address our care for a friend who is beginning to drink or smoke?

·         Other than drinking or smoking, what are other productive activities can we do with our friends?

Challenge

•          We are called to value our own lives and the lives of all persons.

•          We have an obligation to reject substances that can destroy our own bodily and mental well-being.

•          We have a responsibility to help/ listen to those who have the tendency to abuse alcohol or drugs.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

o   Miranda, Noel P. and Javier, Philip S. III. Called to Follow Christ in True Freedom. Ateneo de Manila University: SIBS Publishing House, Inc., 2006 o    Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Catechism for Filipino Catholics. 2006 o    Astorga, Ma. Christina A., Ph.D. Living the Faith Option: Christian Morality. Quezon City: FNB Educational, Inc.2005 o    Vincent J. Genovesi, S.J. In Pursuit of Love