Chapter 5

Objectives Human rights and Human Responsibility Characteristics of Basic Human Rights Religious Freedom

Transition/Summary One has God given rights, but one also has responsibilities toward society. True rights do not come from a consensus or from society. Rights are bestowed by God and are written into the natural law – they are universal, inviolable, inalienable

Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) Encyclical by Pope St. John XXIII Enumerated basic human rights: Right or Life Moral and Cultural Rights Right to Worship God Right to Choose Freely One’s State of Life Economic Rights Right of Meeting and Association Right to Emigrate and Immigrate Political Rights

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church “Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature. These rights are prior to society and must be recognized by it. They are the basis of the moral legitimacy of every authority: by flouting them, or refusing to recognize them in its positive legislation, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy. If it does not respect them, authority can rely only on force or violence to obtain obedience from its subjects. It is the Church's role to remind men of good will of these rights and to distinguish them from unwarranted or false claims.”

Basic Human Rights

Rights and Responsibilities: Student Handbook Make a list of 5 rights and responsibilities you can find in the Student Handbook Are they fair to the students? Do they promote Christian values? Should students be given more responsibilities and more rights?

Basic Human Rights

Objectives Define Civil Society Nature of and rationale for the principle of subsidiarity Provide accurate examples of the principle of subsidiarity

Responsibilities and Civil Society Civil society – the sum of relationships and resources, cultural and associative, that are relatively independent from the political sphere and economic sector Principle of subsidiarity – when a group that is far removed from the human person is in charge of meeting his needs, it can mean that his rights are denied. Larger group should stay out of the way of effective smaller groups. Smaller groups are more effective in meeting the needs of individuals Larger groups can step in when human rights are being denied

Subsidiarity The moral principle that large organizations or governments should not interfere with or take over responsibilities that can be administered by individuals and local organizations, but rather should support them, always with a focus on the common good. Responsibilities in Civil Society

Eyes on the Prize – James Meridith Eyes on the Prize – Fighting Back

Responsibilities in Civil Society

Responsibilities in Civil Society

Objectives The goal of the government is the growth and the development of the human person Responsibilities of the government Legitimate and illegitimate authority

The Government and Human Rights

Transition/Summary The goal of the government is the growth and development of the human person; it first priority is to protect the God-given human rights Guaranteeing conditions that allow for justice and fairness, rooting out discrimination, guaranteeing the right to life, and climate that promotes the common good. Individuals have responsibilities to civil society – to participate in creating a just and loving society and to respect those who have legitimate authority Legitimate authority is necessary for the proper functioning of civil society because it seeks the common good. Legitimate Authority are: guided by the moral law; recognize, respect, and promote essential human and moral values; enact just laws A person is only bound to obey authority that follows moral law

The Government and Human Rights An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law. Letter from Birmingham Jail August, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Government and Human Rights

The Government and Human Rights

I die the King's good servant, but God's first. The last words of St. Thomas More July 6, 1535 The Government and Human Rights

Understanding the Meaning of the Law (pg. 148)

Pope St. John Paul II “Every generation of Americans needs to know that freedom consists not in doing what we like, but having the right to do what we ought”

Objectives Church, political society, and government Aspects of a democratic government that ideally serve the human person and the common good Characteristics of totalitarianism that most often reject human dignity and common good Corruption that can threaten governments

Summary The primary duty of the Church is to meet the spiritual needs of the people; government’s primary responsibility is to manage temporal affairs. The Church does not necessarily endorse a particular form of government, however the Church does propose that governments with democratic elements are best suited for human dignity. The Church and recent popes have spoken about corruption in governments, totalitarianism, and relativism.

Catholic Understanding of Government

There’s no such thing as truth! Relativism There’s no such thing as truth! Catholic Understanding of Government

Objectives Define Conscience; why must it be correctly formed, and clarify misconceptions. Explain conscientious objection and list the criteria for just resistance to authority. Participation in the political society as Catholics.

Politics and Conscience

Politics and Conscience

Politics and Conscience Significant issues to consider in a candidate’s position: Conscience protection for individuals as well as religious institutions to serve the public in accord with religious values Social and economic policies that support jobs with good working conditions and just wages Comprehensive immigration reform and support of refugee resettlement for unaccompanied children The definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman Opposition to legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide Respect for life includes rejection of violence and death penalty Affordable health care for low and moderate income individuals & families Support for policies to protect vulnerable persons; prisoner rehabilitation and re–entry programs Support of “child benefit” as principle for participation in education programs of their children Opposition to abortion also includes support for mothers and children during pregnancy and infancy Stewardship and care of the earth for this and future generations Politics and Conscience

Unjust Authority Catholics are not obliged to follow an unjust rule or authority – known as conscientious objection. When it becomes necessary, peaceful means should be pursued first Armed resistance is permissible under specific and strict circumstances (see page 157)