Journal 1: Why Study Morality?

The main idea in this section is the question, "Why Study Morality?"  Morality is an issue that faces each of us in our lives. Most of us probally don't fully realize the true scope of the word because it encompasses so many different aspects in life.  Through our studies of morality we may better realize where we may improve to better live a life like Jesus.  Hopefully, we'll examine our actions better and truly see how we can affect so many others in a positive manner.  Many times we don't pay attention to our negative thoughts that influence how we react to our family and friends.  When we are in a bad mood, we let it out on others instead of examining ourselves and the reasons for the anger. Morality is the guide that helps us to better stay on the path of good coupled with the ideals  that promote us to stray from evil and sin.  As humans, we make decesions during nearly every second of every day; however, these decisions should be in accordance with our Faith and our conscience.  Even the most basic ideas of right and wrong have a stong influence on our morality, for it is through these ideas that we may better make the tougher decisions confronting us in our lives.  A firm knowledge of right and wrong will also give us a good foundation to carry actions.

The Three Most Important Ideas:

1.  Euphemisms have flooded our daily speech, which shields the true meaning of our words.  The purpose of euphemisms is to sugar coat our message, or to be deceitful in what we have to say.  However, this is all merely a defense mechanism for modern soceiety to somehow lie to ourselves and deny truth to come out.  It seems that at times we are unable or unwilling to accept reality, therefore we feel compelled to speak in a euphemistic manner. 2.  We must seek to speak the truth and primarily avod lies or other deviations from the truth.  By noticing how many times we stray from what is true, we may gain insight into the reasons why we feel compelled to lie in the first place.  In continuation with this idea, we may also notice how many times our words become harsh and cruel, as opposed to the charitable nature they should be.  If we notice we are at fault in either of these categories, we must attempt to better ouselves and examine what we say. 3. After we discover the faults in the words we speak and notice how chartiy may be lacking, we must take an action to ammend the situation.  Lies, gossip, slandering, and other verbal abuses should be dismissed from our vocabulary and replaced with words of love and compassion.

Picture Link

-An image that reminds me of morality is this fun sketch of moses receiving the Ten Commandments.  The left outlines the basic commandments that we need to live a Faith filled moral life.  The right tablet, gives all the exceptions that we may "use" to avoid the "sinfulness."  This pokes fun at how we realize what the sins are, but we may always find ways to get out of our gultiness.

-A question that comes to mind after studying this section on the morality is, why is morality often a relative term as opposed to universal.  Shouldn't all people have the same moral guidelines, why not?

-I have learned that although morality is often a challenge in my life, I must confront the challenge by investigating what it is exactly that promotes my sinfulness.  In accordance with this, the words I say should also be observed and examined.  I should try to ammend the areas I find faults.