1 Ethics What does it mean for the Christian Tradition?

2 Syllabus Point  Students learn about: Ethics  One of the following areas of ethical teaching in Christianity  environmental ethics  Students learn to:  describe and explain Christian ethical teachings on environmental ethics.

3 What is Ethics? “The philosophical study of the moral value of human conduct and of the rules and principles that ought to govern it.” Collins Dictionary “Ethics is the examination of collective and individual decision making about what are desirable human actions, and the exploration of why people make such judgements.” [Elliot & Engebretson Chaos or Clarity 27] “The study of the general nature of morals and specific moral choices” “The rules or standards governing the conduct of the members of a profession.” [The American Heritage Concise Dictionary]

4 …or put simply Ethics deals with ‘right and wrong’ Look at ethics from the following perspective: Laws and rules were made to limit very bad behaviour. Bad behaviour is further limited by your personal ethics, which tells you what is bad and what is good. Thus some actions may be lawful, but still unethical. Unlawful actions are in the black area, good ones in the white area, and all in-between in the grey area. Ethics deals mainly with this grey area between the clearly bad and the good.

5 Components of Ethical Thinking 1. People & Circumstances 2. Relationships 3. Values 4. Reasoning 5. Authorities 6. Processes 7. Judgements 8. Human Nature 9. Philosophical and Religious Outlooks

6 Christian Code of Ethics LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE Key belief centred on the faith of Jesus Christ Christianity is a way of living Christian faith must result in a life of loving service or it is an empty faith. (James 2:14-17) CHRISTIAN MORALITY INVOLVES responsibility. Response to God’s freely given love (Mt 22:37-39) Ability to respond to, and be able to say yes to God. CHRISTIAN MORALITY Does not rest primarily on our own talents, strengths, insights or deeds but is founded in the Holy Spirit who has been given to us at Baptism. CHRISTIAN MORALITY Implies we can think and love and live in relationship to others in community. CHRISTIAN MORALITY Is based on: Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 2-17) Beatitudes (Matthew Chapters 5-7) The traditional ‘Spiritual’ and ‘Corporal’ Works of Mercy

7 Early Christian Ethical System Torah Ten Commandments Jesus Ministry of forgiveness. Healing. Bringing light and peace to the needy. His unremitting judgement of evil. Early Christians lived what they considered was a good life based on Jesus' life. As time went by, they gradually started considering moral problems which affected the community and hence, an ethical system was developed. TB Trish Bartlett 2001 Cross Religion Study 2: Religion and Ethics

8 Basics of Christian Ethics Foundation in Bible: Ten Commandments Sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) Paul’s Writing Most Christians share common ethical ideals. Different denominations, however, have some variations in their manner of justifying ethical understanding. Orthodox Christian Churches in general stress the reliance on Biblical authority for example the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount.

9 Protestant Churches have the Biblical concept of ‘love’ as the ethical foundation for morality. Christian love: Caring Compassion Self giving They also stress the importance of social justice. The Roman Catholic Ethics is derived from a variety of ethical sources: Bible Councils of the Church Decrees of the Pope Code of Canon Law Works of the Fathers of the Church Works of moral theologians Use and practice of the church

10 Activity Worksheet 1: Christian Ethics has its foundation in the Bible.

11 speech attitude understanding meditation livelihood awareness effort action