In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI lectured on what many believe to be the central problem of Christian faith today. This problem is not one that is tangible, but abstract and dynamic. The idea of whether or not absolute truth exists in every culture has been thoroughly debated throughout history, with certain factions of beliefs taking sides in the heated battle. Benedict often taught that the idea of relativism is one that rips the church and humanity apart. He described this dictatorship of relativism as:
“A particularly insidious obstacle to the task of education is the massive presence in our society and culture of that relativism which, recognizing nothing as definitive, leaves as the ultimate criterion only the self with its desires. And under
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He taught love and respect for one’s neighbor, even if the difference between cultures may be overwhelming. However, Jesus did not condone the actions of these other nations when they disobeyed the universal commandments. Pope Benedict XVI recognized this, and focused directly on the necessity that is universal truth. Being such a prominent figure in Christianity, he was able to directly influence millions of Christians around the earth. The Pope’s statements on this subject carry such a heavy impact with them in comparison to other individuals, such as Ruth Benedict. The former Pope travelled far and wide preaching of the destructive nature that relativism entails. Due to the hardline approach that Benedict XVI took against relativism, it has become a mainstay in Catholicism. Currently, Pope Francis has spoken out against the same issues his predecessor had. Pope Benedict XVI’s influence and will on this certain topic has most definitely been …show more content…
In regards to Pope Benedict XVI’s position, the advantages far outweigh the negatives. His stances allow for a strong support system that provides a guide to all governments. The idea of universal truths also allow for concentration on an individual and personal level. By applying a broad policy, there is no discrimination possible and everyone is aware of the rules. Criticism of this stance often point out that it can be oppressive. Certain regions and people prefer to justify their actions by saying “you don’t understand our culture, don’t tell me what to do.” They do have a point to an extent, but lines and rules must be drawn. However a counter to this is the universal declaration of human rights. This separate bill was enacted to provide rights and a support system for all countries. This basic document is a perfect first step in establishing a common good (Williams, 2012). The positions of Ruth Benedict are fraught with controversy and well deserved of criticism. According to her stance, exceptions to normally acceptable rules are constantly made. If cannibalism is acceptable in a certain culture, it becomes morally acceptable to those individuals. This can create dangerous tensions when two cultures clash, and often results in war. In all situations, it is important to be understanding and respectful of the customs of different societies. There exists varying opinions on the topic of moral
With the hindsight of the 1960s, it is easy for us to view how influencers of the era have reformed and revitalised the Christian tradition to a great extent. Because of this hindsight of the 1960s, an era in which the zeitgeist was full of intellectuals, poets, musicians and authors, we can see the traditions of Christianity were considered to be backward to a world that was changing in terms of beliefs and ethics as society embraced these social reforms. The statement then clearly reflects Pope John XXIII and his impacts on Catholicism. Pope John XXIII recognized these changes and through his leadership, the impacts he had on Christianity had a substantially large influence over the Catholic Church as he ultimately altered the Christian tradition by creating the Vatican II. By doing so, he adjusted traditional Church Scriptures (ressourcement), involved himself with promoting ecumenicalism and also interfaith-dialogue as well as becoming engaged in the modern world (aggiornamento), therefore meeting the needs of the evolving society by revitalising the old traditions.
...nd analyzing the writing of Pope Francis it allowed me to further my understanding of not only his particular style of teaching, but also of the various issues surrounding Christian ethics. Reading his book, changed my perspective on a few issues and had an impact on me in regards to my life as a Christian. By writing this paper, I was able to identify the main focuses of Christianity in order to become more effect, relevant, and credible. In addition, I was able to further my understanding of the issues surrounding Christian ethics, which will allow me to help others more effectively by following in Jesus’s footsteps. Overall, I enjoyed the assignment and it opened up my eyes to the different issues surrounding the four areas of concern mentioned in The Joy of the Gospel, which are the new idolatry of money, option for the poor, inequality, and common good/peace.
Jesus taught by words and examples so too does Benedict envisage for himself and his followers. Benedict’s Spiritual tools, emphasized, Love of God, Love of neighbor and love of self. Jesus build an intimate relationship with His Father throughout His ministry. (MK6:12)-“He spend the whole night in pray.” (Mk 5:29-32)-Jesus showed love to sinners. Jesus’ whole ministry depicts love Of God, love of neighbor and love of self. Benedict learn from Jesus’ preaching. (Matt 25:31-40) that Jesus is present in everyone (neighbor). Pope Benedict in his encyclical behold the pierce one wrote that being a Christian involves ones neighbor. Judgement will be based on these actions. Jesus is master of the laws and a perfect fulfillment of the law. (MK 2:28) For Benedict, these spiritual tools is in line with what Christ lived and preached because He obeyed the laws of His
One of the three basic pillars of the Roman Catholic Church is Tradition. The Church often uses this pillar of Tradition to validate its actions or to establish its own infallibility. One unspoken foundation that I feel is more essential, however, is that of Love. Love is what is taught in Scripture, another pillar of the Church, and should, therefore be the root of any traditions in the Catholic faith. By judging human actions or the spirit of God by cold laws enforced by the Church, we lose important insight into what our faith and our existence are truly about. Even the Church, in its humanness, sometimes forgets that love of God, others, and ourselves should be the core of every decision we make. The Church that many see as harsh and archaic could easily be refreshed and renewed, not by peppier music or stand-up comic priests, but by emphasis on the spirit of love rather than the letter of the law.
Humanists had been calling for reform in the Catholic Church long before Martin Luther penned his Ninety-Five Theses. Humanism was an intellectual and cultural movement of the Renaissance that emphasized the expansion of mans’ capacities. “[Humanism] was an attempt to discover humankind’s own earthly fulfillment. . . [it] developed an increasing distaste for dogma, and embraced a figurative interpretation of the scriptures and an attitude of tolerance toward all viewpoints” (Sporre 310). This perspective could not differ more from the Church’s strict reliance on tradition. People’s outlook on the world changed, but the Church continued on with what had previously worked. It soon became clear that reform in the Church was not in the foreseeable future, so people decided to take matters into their own hands. As humanism spread throughout Italy and northern Europe, more and more people agr...
Roles of the Catholic Church in Western civilization has been scrambled with the times past and development of Western society. Regardless of the fact that the West is no longer entirely Catholic, the Catholic tradition is still strong in Western countries. The church has been a very important foundation of public facilities like schooling, Western art, culture and philosophy; and influential player in religion. In many ways it has wanted to have an impact on Western approaches to pros and cons in numerous areas. It has over many periods of time, spread the teachings of Jesus within the Western World and remains a foundation of continuousness connecting recent Western culture to old Western culture.-
At the beginning of the sixteenth century church theologian, Martin Luther, wrote the 95 Theses questioning the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. In this essay I will discuss: the practices of the Roman Catholic Church Martin Luther wanted to reform, what Martin’s specific criticism of the pope was, and the current practices Pope Francis I is interested in refining in the Roman Catholic Church today.
“Human rights are not worthy of the name if they do not protect the people we don’t like as those we do”, said Trevor Phillips, a British writer, broadcaster and former politician. Since the day of human civilization and human rights are found. No one can argue against the idea that God created us equal, but this idea have been well understood and known after the appearance of many associations that fight for human rights as The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) that showed up in 1948. Human rights are those rights that every person, without exceptions, is born with. They are the most important human basic needs because no one can live a decent appropriate life without having those rights as a human. In fact, these rights
Martin Luther inspired another thinker of the time that questioned the Church’s beliefs. That man was John Calvin. The Catholic belief during the Renaissance and Reformation was that one’s good deeds hel...
Moral relativism is the concept that people’s moral judgement can only goes as far a one person’s standpoint in a matter. Also, one person’s view on a particular subject carries no extra weight than another person. What I hope to prove in my thesis statement are inner judgements, moral disagreements, and science are what defend and define moral relativism.
No standard is valid for everyone.” What Pastor John Piper is essentially saying here in his article is that relativism boldly proclaims that no one standard can
On December 10th in 1948, the general assembly adopted a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration, although not legally binding, created “a common standard of achievement of all people and all nations…to promote respect for those rights and freedoms” (Goodhart, 379). However, many cultures assert that the human rights policies outlined in the declaration undermine cultural beliefs and practices. This assertion makes the search for universal human rights very difficult to achieve. I would like to focus on articles 3, 14 and 25 to address how these articles could be modified to incorporate cultural differences, without completely undermining the search for human rights practices.
While on one hand there is a growing consensus that human rights are universal on the other exist critics who fiercely oppose the idea. Of the many questions posed by critics revolve around the world’s pluri-cultural and multipolarity nature and whether anything in such a situation can be really universal.
There have been individuals and even countries that oppose the idea that human rights are for everybody. This argument shall be investigated in this essay, by: exploring definitions and history on human rights, debating on whether it is universal while providing examples and background information while supporting my hypothesis that human rights should be based on particular cultural values and finally drawing a conclusion. A general definition of human rights is that they are rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled, simply because they are human. It is the idea that ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.’
The role that globalization plays in spreading and promoting human rights and democracy is a subject that is capable spurring great debate. Human rights are to be seen as the standards that gives any human walking the earth regardless of any differences equal privileges. The United Nations goes a step further and defines human rights as,