HOW TO ENSURE I AM DOING GOD’S WILL MORAL DECISION MAKING HOW TO ENSURE I AM DOING GOD’S WILL

THE FIRST TOOLS PRUDENCE: The moral virtue that inclines us to lead good, ethical, and moral lives of action Being filled with care Listening to your conscience DISCERNMENT: A decision-making process that attends to the implications and consequences of an action or choice.

RULES OF MORALITY Your acts must promote the true good of humans or they are wrong Make sure your actions always conform to objective norms of morality like the ten Commandments, laws, school rules, etc.

MAKE A MORAL DECISION S.T.O.P. METHOD S- SEARCH OUT THE FACTS T- Think of the alternative and consequences O- Others are involved P- Pray

SEARCH FOR THE FACTS MORAL OBJECT (“WHAT”) The content/matter of your decision Reveals whether our action is good/bad ? Think of actions that are “bad”… Why are they labeled such?

SEARCH FOR THE FACTS INTENTION-(“WHY”) The aim or objective of an action Why am I doing this? Are my reasons pure? Keep the intention good-for something to be morally good both the action and intention must be good The end does not justify the means-for an action to be moral, the means must be moral

SEARCH FOR THE FACTS MEANS A method, course of action, or instrument by which something can be accomplished CIRCUMSTANCES The conditions or facts attending an event and having some bearing on it. Can increase or decrease the moral goodness or evil of an action. Circumstances of themselves cannot change the moral quality of acts themselves: they can make neither good nor right an action that is in itself evil (CCC 1754)

SEARCH FOR THE FACTS Do your research, acknowledge the facts, don’t let yourself use preconceived notions or biased information for decisions. Acknowledge that factual information is often more relevant than public opinion!

THINK ABOUT ALTERNATIVES/CONSEQUENCES Until the alternatives are considered, moral decisions should not be made Thinking out alternatives involves creativity & CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS

THINK ABOUT ALTERNATIVES/CONSEQUENCES We should never act without considering the consequences of our actions Consequences are not the only decisive factor in the morality of actions: the moral object itself may have been a decisive factor Ask the following question: Would I be willing to allow everyone in a similar situation to act this way?

THINK Think about the consequences specifically. Take a moment to consider the options you have. There is often more than one or two options to consider.

OTHERS BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS We must always ask how our proposed actions will affect others We must heed the advice of those who are wiser than us Who are they?

OTHERS An important moral choice rarely just involves you! How will your parents, friends, coaches, feel about your choice? Would you lie to cover up the decision you made? Would that dishonesty be worth it?

PRAY WHY PRAY? Christian moral living is sustained by prayer “The living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit (CCC2565) Prayer is a conversation with God consisting of two parts: talking & LISTENING

PRAYER A COVERSATION WITH God doesn’t have to be formal. It is unreasonable to think that with each tough choice you will suddenly drop to your knees and ask God for a direct answer. However, in the interest in being careful when we consider our moral decisions, we must always bring our concerns to God. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? HOW DOES THE CHURCH FEEL?