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JUSTICE | FORTITUDE | TEMPERANCE |
Religion
Religion is a virtue is what helps man to render to God what He deserves, that is, due worship. But it is impossible for us to render to God all that He rightly deserves. How can man pay God the exact value of what he has received from Him? From God, we have received everything, our parents, possessions, our country, etc
Man manifests his great dignity precisely by trying to know and deal with his Creator. In this way, he fulfills the first precept of the moral law which obliges him "to love God above all things." Man has the beautiful duty of worshipping God:
- to acknowledge Him as the Supreme Lord of all things;
- to acknowledge His Bounty;
- to adore Him;
- to offer reparation for the offences committed against Him by breaking His Law;
- to thank Him for all the gifts He showers on us;
- and to ask Him supply our needs.
The worship of God covers the first three precepts of the Decalogue
Vices Against Religion
Atheism
This is a vice by defect by which man fails to recognise the debt he owes to his creator. An atheist denies the existence of God and lives as if God did not exist. It is a particularly serious vice because it does violence to the mind which can see, from the order of the universe, that there must be a Supreme Being who made them all.
Vices against religion by excess are numerous: superstition, idolatry, divination, vain observation, etc. are only some.
PIETY
Piety is the virtue that gives man the permanent will to render his parents their due rights. Piety is the right attitude towards one's parents to whom one cannot stricktly speaking pay back what one owes to them. There is nothing that a person can give his parents which is equivalent to the life thye have given him. So we act justly towards our parents by: loving them, showing them reverence, obeying them in all matters that do not go against the moral law, and praying for them.
KJV Acts 11: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
The word church is derived from a Greek word kyriake meaning belonging to the Lord.
Christianity means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Only Christ dead so that His followers live after death, Just like Confucius (Chinas Master Kung founder of Confucianism) all other teachers had right good sayings, but did not die so that the followers may live and did not promise eternal life.
Ten commandments Exodus 20:1-21
KJV Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am
the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods
before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or
any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the
earth beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth:
5 Thou
shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD
thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon
the children unto the third
and fourth generation of them that
hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me,
and keep my commandments.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the
LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that
taketh his name in vain.
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it
holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But
the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt
not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant,
nor thy maidservant,
nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is
within thy gates:
11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and
earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day:
wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and
hallowed it.
12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the
land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not
kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not
steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou
shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his
maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing
that is thy
neighbour's.
18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the
lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking:
and when the people saw it, they removed, and
stood afar off.
19
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but
let not God speak with us, lest we die.
20 And Moses said unto the
people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may
be before your faces, that ye sin not.
21 And the people stood
afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God
was.
Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
KJV Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
The word rested in the text above has been understood to mean that God ceased from the work of creation and began the most important work of all which was super natural and that is why people in every seven days must spare one to rest from their physical activity and engage in spiritual service, fasting and prayer.
KJV John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
KJV Romans 4:12-18
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
KJV Romans 3:23-27
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation
through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the
remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of
God;
26
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be
just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where
is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by
the law of faith.
Sermon on the mountain/Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12
KJV Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Golden rule Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
1John 4:20
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Love of God Matthew 22:37-38, 6:26
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38
This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Love of Neighbour Matthew 22:39, 25:35-40
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and
ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked,
and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison,
and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him,
saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty,
and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee
in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in
prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say
unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto
me.
Psalms 128
KJV Psalm 128:1 {A Song of degrees.} Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
“How dare you reduce Christianity to just another religion, Jesus Christ said I created Buddha, Mo hammed and all that there is ” Miles Monroe
Christ brought grace which goes against religion.
God blesses people with 100% and then ask them to give 10%+offering towards assisting others as some form of charity. But a form of religion that always cries bills, bills, bills, asking people to give what they do not have is it really from God.
If one reads the gospels there is something that they feel where by the do not want to sin. but some religious grouping look like just hype like what people feel in a concert when shouting to music lyrics.
Click here for Jesus Christ Resume.
C iSSUES
Islam means submission to the will of God.
The Five Pillars of Islam as a religion are:
Declaration/Shahada
Prayer worship five time a day. Al Quran 22:18. Salat (inclination), dua (prayer, appeal), dhikr (remembering), tasbih (glorification), nabah (returning, attachment)
Special Prayers:
Friday Prayer (Salataul Jumu'ah)
Eid prayer (Edi ul Fitra and Eid Ul Adha)
Short prayer for a traveller (Salat ul kasru)
Taraweeh prayer (special Eisha prayer during Ramadhan)
Funeral prayer (Salat ul Janaza)Zakat (means purity and is tax or poor dues)
Fasting (Ramadhan)
Hajj (The Pilgrimage) Al Quran 3:96
PRACTICES
The life of a Muslim with regard to the application of Islam has two main aspects
- The internal aspect
- The external aspect
The internal aspect can be divided further into:
(A) The spiritual life: Provides the rightful media for man's spiritual growth to maturity with maximum positive results. There are seven main items here which, during ones lifetime, nourish the soul (heart) of an individual to given satisfaction and contentment. These are Adhan, prayer, fasting, charity, Hajj, hope and trust in God and sacrifice to God.
1. Adhan: This is the call for prayers sounded at the Mosque at the time for prayers.
2. Prayer: Includes the memorisation of some chapters of the Holy Quran which has been done earlier.
3. Fasting: Begins from a very early age of six years or seven years and, by the time the young believer in twelve years, he has got used to fasting during the whole month of Ramadhan.
4. Charity (Zakat): The child has got enough knowledge as he grows by observing how charity is being given by his family or the people around him.
5. Hajj: When he grows to maturity once in his lifetime he must go for the holy visit to Mecca and perform Hajj.
6. A Muslim throughout his life time has to have hope and trust in God. This is particularly important during temporary upheavals of life.
7. A true believer should have unselfish sacrifice for God to keep him steady on the virtuous path of life. These basic elements guide and complete the life of a Muslim.
If an adult gets converted to Islam, the first thing he does to accept the faith is to pronounce Shahad- to declare by tongue and fully accept it by heart that Allah is one and Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) is his messenger. This declaration has to be done in Arabic. Then he continues to fulfill his duties of being a Muslim by believing in the articles of faith and practising the fundamentals/pillars of Islam.
(B) The other important internal aspect of man's life as a Muslim is that he is controlled by his intelligence and the reasoning power of his mind. He should use the Quran as the basic source of knowledge in order to search for the truth. Through a gradual progress in meditation, experience, experiment and observation of the divine injunctions, he should get clear proofs to strengthen his faith and affirm all his aims and objectives.
The "eternal aspect" of man's life is the simple practical practice of his daily (personal) life. By virtue of this, he is expected to live in such a manner as to maintain harmony and balance between these two aspects to give him a satisfactory existence in this world and lead a successful, contented life.
As a Muslim, he has to keep his body mind clean and pure. For his daily obligatory prayers, he is required to have the body absolutely free from any form of discharge or dirt. A complete body bath is essential for this basic purification. Just before prayer, he has to perform "ablution" (wudhu) to make him "ready" to the commandments of God - the salat. Thus the cleanliness of body, clothes and the place of prayer will provide a suitable environment for the mind and keep the thoughts and intention of the individual clean. Regarding clothes and other adornments, special stress is laid upon decent, modest dressing. Pride, vanity or attracting the attention of the opposite sex are highly discouraged. The purity of sex and importance of the sacred bond of marriage also contribute to the daily life of an individual by keeping him from any immorality or even certain diseases. This gives him respect, in his domestic, social, political groups and serves as a proof of being devouted responsible and righteous to God.
Sports and amusement play a vital role in the daily life of a Muslim and he is free to be involved in anything which can refresh his mind and provide enough physical exercise to keep him fit and healthy. Both men and women can engage in strengthening themselves physically and morally. These sports, however, should not lead to any sinful behaviour or prevent from fulfilling their duties towards God.
Marriage
Quran 25:74 "Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the joy and comfort of our eyes and guide us to be models of righteousness."
Hinduism is also known as Sanatan Dharma (means eternal religion, ancient law) and Vaidic Dharma (means religion of the Vedas).
Rishis- great seers and meditators
Shrutis - Knowledge that is heard.
Smrutis - Knowledge that is memorised.
Veda - Perfect knowledge revealed revealed by Brahma.
Shrutis Consist of 4 Vedas
Rig
Yajur
Sam
Athar
Other Hindu Holy Books
Upanishadas
Puranas
Ramayana
Mahabharat - has the Hindu holy book - the Gita in it.
Hindu religious Ideas
God is one, without a second.
He manifests Himself as many (as Trimurti) in the three forms of Brahma (Creation), Vishnu (Preservation) and Siva (Destruction).
Rebirth of a soul till it attains self realisation or salvation or Nirvana or Mukti or Moksha (reincarnation).
The Law of Karma - The Law of Causation.
Moral Principles of Hinduism
Satya - Truth, truth is eternal. Truth is Divinity. Truth is God.
Rita - Order, Moral Conduct, Morality forms a firm base in society.
Diksha - Initiation and knowledge, Studying of vedas and holy scriptures teaching of it.
Tapas - Austerities, Self discipline, control in speech, deeds and thoughts.
Brahman - Prayers and worship of the supreme being.
Yajna - Rites and rituals and performing or religious ceremonies.
The worldly aspect of Hinduism originally had three
Vedas, three classes of society (varnas), three stages of life (ashramas), and
three “goals of a man” (purusharthas), the goals or needs of women being seldom
discussed in the ancient texts. To the first three Vedas was added the Atharva-Veda.
The first three classes (Brahman, or priestly; Kshatriya, or warrior; and Vaisya,
or general populace) were derived from the tripartite division of ancient
Indo-European society, traces of which can be detected in certain social and
religious institutions of ancient Greece and Rome. To the three classes were
added the Shudras, or servants, after the Indo-Aryans settled into the Punjab
and began to move down into the Ganges Valley. The three original ashramas were
the chaste student (brahmachari), the householder (grihastha), and the
forest-dweller (vanaprastha). They were said to owe three debts: study of the
Vedas (owed to the sages); a son (to the ancestors); and sacrifice (to the
gods). The three goals were artha (material success), dharma (righteous social
behavior), and kama (sensual pleasures). Shortly after the composition of the
first Upanishads, during the rise of Buddhism (6th century bc), a fourth ashrama
and a corresponding fourth goal were added: the renouncer (sannyasi), whose goal
is release (moksha) from the other stages, goals, and debts.
Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2003. © 1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation. All
rights reserved.
Buddhism was founded by Buddha
Arhat (Sanskrit for “Worthy One”), in Buddhism, an
enlightened individual who has reached nirvana (a state free from suffering) and
will never be reborn. Early Buddhist tradition recognized four stages to
attainment: the stream-enterer, who will be reborn seven times; the once-returner,
who will attain nirvana in the next rebirth; the nonreturner, who will not
return but will attain nirvana in higher levels of existence; and the arhat, a
person fully emancipated during this life from samsara (the cycle of
reincarnation). Arhats have large cult followings throughout Asia.
Representations of arhats are believed to hold magical powers and many devotees
make pilgrimages to monasteries dedicated to arhats.
Theravada Buddhism regards arhat status as the ultimate goal of Buddhists,
though in practice only those living in monasteries can achieve it. Mahayana
Buddhism also acknowledges the arhats, especially those who attended upon the
Buddha and were left in the world until the coming of the next Buddha. However,
in Mahayana Buddhism the bodhisattva, who has semidivine powers and can transfer
his merit to others, is held to be superior to the arhat.
Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2003. © 1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation. All
rights reserved.
Principles of buddhism
Non- violence
To follow the path of righteousness
Budddhist believe in the four Noble Truths and they are:
That everything in the world is changing and is impermanent
That sorrow and suffering can be ended by keeping out desire and attachment.
That desire and attachment are the causes of sorrow and suffering.
That the Noble Eight fold path achieves the keeping out of desire and attachment.
The Noble Eight fold path is the practice of:
Right belief
Right understanding
Right aspiration
Right speech
Right conduct
Right means of livelihood
Right efforts
Right mindfulness
This path leads to "Nirvana" or freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
Holy buddhism books
Sutta Pittaka, Vinaya Pittaka, Abhidhamma Pittaka and 'Dhammapada'.
Jainism believes in ascending and descending time cycles. A person who adopts Jainism is called a Jain or a Jina (a aoul). Jainism has 24 Tirthankers (perfect/divine being). The first Tirthanker was called Rishabh Dev and the 24th was Lord Mahavir who was Lord Buddha's contemporary
Principles of Jainism
Ahimsa - Abstinence from all injury to life.
Atseya - Non-stealing.
Satyam - Truth.
Bhrahmacharya - Abstinence from self-indulgence.
Aparigraha - Abstinence from attachment to worldly possessions.
The Jain Three Jewel path that leads to Moksha preaches:
Right path
Right Knowledge
Right Conduct
Jain Symbols are:
Jain Aum
Jain Swastika
The founder of Sikhism was Guru Nanak born (15 april 1469) at Talwancli
Guru Nanak was followed by nine more Gurus. The tenth Guru was Guru Gobind Singh. Who started the Khalsa cult and by this the followers of Sikhism has to wear the five K's i.e. they had to have:
I. kesh - uncut hair
II. kada - bangle on the right hand to teach righteousness
III. kanga - a comb
IV. kachha - a pair of shorts
V. kirpan - a sword
Principle of Sikhism
Worship of one true God
Universal brotherhood and equality
Sikhism Holy Books
The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs.
The Holy Sikh prayers are called the Ardas, the Japji Sahib, Rahiras, etc.
Life 16 Sanskaras
Garbhadhan, Punsanvan, Simantonayan, Jatkarma, Nishkraman, Annaprashan, Chudakaran, Karnavedha, Vidyarambh, Upanayan, Vedarambh, Samavartan, Vivah, Vanprastha, Sanyasa and antyesthi
Sauce - Cleanliness. Yams and Niyams
Cleanliness plays a great part in making a person healthy and to preserve and strengthen his physical and mental health. Cleanliness of body (mouth, teeth, bath, etc), environment/surroundings, mind, heart.
5 Yams (abstentions)
1. Ahimsa - Abstention from non-violence which does not merely mean non-killing but it means love for the whole creation and universal brotherhood.
2. Satya - Not lying is treated as honesty and truthfulness in everyday behaviour.
3. Asteya - Non-stealing as being mindful and upholding rights of others.
4. Aparigraha - Non-acquisition of material possessions and living a life of simplicity.
5. Brahmacharya - A life free of sensuality and strict control of words, thoughts and deeds.
5 Niyams
1. Shaucha - Purification means purity of the body and the mind. Purity and cleanliness of the body and environment in which one lives is helpful in maintaining the health of the mind.
2. Santosh contentment - Willing acceptance of things as they are with regard to oneself and others. It does not imply a lack of ambition. One should do one's utmost to achieve what one wants but should remain contented with what is obtained through one's pursuits.
3. Tapas - Austerities or self-discipline which means
the control of bodily indulgences. Tapas are of three types i.e.
of body- purity, continence and discipline
of speech - truthfulness, kindness and affection
of mind - clarity of thought, coolness and quietude.
4. Svadhyaya or studiosness - Studiousness is the study of the self.
5. Ishwara Pranidhan - Resignation to God. This means surrendering to His will and should play our part in this scheme.
Hindu Ashrams (Stages) of life
1. Brahmachari - The Student - bound to celibacy.
2.Grahstha - Householder.
3. Vanprastha - The retired one.
4. Sanyasi - The ascetic.
The Four Hindu Castes
1. Brahman - Those who have knowledge, teach and perform religious rites and rituals.
2. Vaishya - Those who can do trade, business and commerce.
3. Kshtriya - Those who defend kith, kin, families, nature and country.
4. Sudras - Those who keep their surroundings, cities and towns clean.
KARMA - is what the soul undergoes in one
of two ways, according to whether its actions are virtuous or not, but both
kinds subsist until the end of enjoyment in this world.
- Svayambu Agama. A Hindu Holy Scripture
REINCARNATION - Through his past works he shall
return once more to birth, entering whatever form his heart is set on. This
mighty soul unborn grows not old, nor dies, for the soul is immortal and
fearless.
- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. A Holy Hindu Scripture
DHARMA - May noble wisdom come to us from all
sides, undeceived, unhindered, overflowing, so that the Devas may always
help us onward, unceasing in their care, our guardians day by day.
- Rig Veda. A Holy Hindu Scripture
WORSHIP - Offering of perfumed substances,
flowers, incense, lamps and fresh fruits - these are the five elements of the
traditional puja which culminates with offering of the lamps.
- Kamika Agama. A Holy Hindu Scripture
THREE WAYS TO FIND RIGHT AND WRONG ARE:
1. Religion and science - Stages have given laws and may
be verified.
Laws may be discovered, proved and accepted.
Laws are found in world scriptures.
2. Intuition - Unaltered Conscience.
3. Utilitarianism - greatest good of the greatest number.
Hindus believe the unity of the above three ways as the unity of life. Right is the outcome of love, directed by reason and then seeks an ever increasing realization of unity, drawing together of separated selves.
REINCARNATION
Hindus believe in reincarnation i.e. rebirth. They believe that a soul discards its body and takes on another form according to its karmas or deeds. A soul is eternal and never dies. So death is the beginning of a new life. But as this life ends, it brings sorrow to the persons who were his relatives, friends, comrades and so on.
Cremation is considered to be a good way of disposing off the corpses because:
- It requires little space - as the same pyre ground can be used again and again.
- It is healthier as burning destroys all harmful bacteria and germs of the body.
- It is easier for the soul to become detached as there is no body for it to linger over.
- The body is made of five elements - Water, heat, light, air and space. These elements go back to their own when a corpse is cremated.
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Above Links retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion"
THREE WAYS TO FIND RIGHT AND WRONG ARE:
1. Religion and science - Stages have given laws and may
be verified.
Laws may be discovered, proved and accepted.
Laws are found in world scriptures.
2. Intuition - Unaltered Conscience.
3. Utilitarianism - greatest good of the greatest number.
"Because of their justice, men are called good"
St Thomas Aquinas regards justice as the superior and highest among the moral virtues. It provides man with the ability to live together with other men in such a way that everybody receives his due. It regulates our relationships with God and with others by ensuring that we respect each others right and that we fulfill our duties
Fortitudes existence points to an obvious reality which is part and parcel of mans life: the existence of evil.
In order for man to become what he is supposed to be, to have all the goodness he is capable of he must be prepared to contend against a powerful enemy, evil. By "evil" here is meant the whole host of inclinations which tend to pull man down and to neutralize his efforts at acting uprightly. But especially, evil means the deliberate violation of the natural law. Man needs to struggle against these forces which pull in contrary direction from which he should walk in order to develop to maturity. He should learn to say "no" to everything that is dishonest, unjust, uncharitable, unpatriotic, etc
Temperance is the cardinal virtue which moderates the pleasure which accompanies bodily functions so that it is sought according to reason and not for its own sake. This is why temperance has been called self mastery.
A Human life that is guided by the principle of natural impulse or feelings has no right to be called "human." It has fallen under the laws that govern the animal kingdom. At this level, man, unfortunately, leads an animal life. This road end in sadness and misery
it helps man to know how to do without those things which cause harm to his body and soul. Temperance makes a person sober, modest and understanding; in short, it makes him a master of himself by freeing him from becoming a slave of pleasure.
The virtue of temperance should be exercised in controlling both external senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell as well as the internal senses of imagination and memory.
Man can and should exercise control over his senses in
such a way that he uses them to acquire knowledge and using the knowledge to
serve others. This moderation extends to use of things and time. Professor
Isaacs says: "A person who is moderate, distinguishes between what is reasonable
and what is self-indulgent and makes reasonable use of his senses, his time, his
money, his efforts and so on, in accordance with true and upright principles."
- Character Building by Professor David Isaacs page 115.
Against this background of man's desire to live a moderate life, we find the wave of consumerism and hedonism. Both these trends tend to place man's highest ideals on the consumption of material goods and on pleasure. It is necessary for us to struggle against these false ideals which distort man's real worth and the real source of his happiness.
The fruits of intemperance of uncontrolled pleasure seeking and indulgence are bitter and are not at all conducive to peaceful community life. Intemperance leads for instance, to indifference to the needs of others because it centers man on himself.
Temperance has two integral elements which help a person to practice this virtue. These are bashfulness or shame and respectability. Bashfulness or shame is the natural reserve that a man experiences about what is most personal and intimate to him. It is also there when a person is doing something dishonourable. The sense of respectability attracts the person towards what is clean, beautiful and good.
JUSTICE | FORTITUDE | TEMPERANCE |
THREE WAYS TO FIND RIGHT AND WRONG ARE:
1. Religion and science - Stages have given laws and may
be verified.
Laws may be discovered, proved and accepted.
Laws are found in world scriptures.
2. Intuition - Unaltered Conscience.
3. Utilitarianism - greatest good of the greatest number.
"Because of their justice, men are called good"
St Thomas Aquinas regards justice as the superior and highest among the moral virtues. It provides man with the ability to live together with other men in such a way that everybody receives his due. It regulates our relationships with God and with others by ensuring that we respect each others right and that we fulfill our duties
The virtue of justice can thus be defined as the cardinal virtue which provides man with a constant will to give others what is strictly their due. Now, what is strictly due to another person becomes the duty of another person or persons to provide it. Hence the popular saying that "what is one person's right is another's duty."
If every member of society developed the virtue of justice to thee maximum, the general well-being of everyone would be guaranteed.
Some Essential Characteristics of Justices
(a) Otherness
There is no such thing as justice with regard to oneself as justice always refers to other people.
(b) Strict Right
Justice deals with something that is strictly owed, not with a gift. There exists debts which of their very nature cannot be "strictly" and "fully" paid. Charity and other vitues such as piety come in handy in establishing order in man's relationships with God and with others.
(c) Equality
The virtue of justice seeks to establish the "exact equality" between what is owed and what is given. A just act demands that there be neither more nor less than the perfect parity.
Virtues Related to Justice
Religion Piety Patriotism Obedience Gratitude
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Sincerity Order Truthfulness Simplicity Friendliness
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Faithfulness Liberality Punishment as justice for injury suffered
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Vices Against Justice
Vices against religion such as Atheism
Vices against truthfulness - Simulation and Hypocricy
Vices against liberality - prodigality, etc
Vices against commutative justice- murder, etc
Vices against social justice (Actions that injure the common good)- inordinate accumulation of wealth, using other people as stepping stones to wealth or power, preventing others from achieving higher positions in society, etc
Fortitudes existence points to an obvious reality which is part and parcel of mans life: the existence of evil.
In order for man to become what he is supposed to be, to have all the goodness he is capable of he must be prepared to contend against a powerful enemy, evil. By "evil" here is meant the whole host of inclinations which tend to pull man down and to neutralize his efforts at acting uprightly. But especially, evil means the deliberate violation of the natural law. Man needs to struggle against these forces which pull in contrary direction from which he should walk in order to develop to maturity. He should learn to say "no" to everything that is dishonest, unjust, uncharitable, unpatriotic, etc
What is worthwhile costs effort and sacrifice but it is worth the price to be paid. Fortitude is the cardinal virtues which strengthens the will in such a way that man strives courageously to achieve a difficult good. Fortitude is sometimes referred to as courage. The virtue of fortitude helps the person to overcome such difficulties and not to be afraid of undertaking a great project.
The fulfillment of one's ordinary duties sometimes, often requires heroic effort. To fulfil duties always, finishing each piece of work well and without uttering a word of complaint is definitely heroic. To smile at someone who needs encouragement can sometimes be heroic but to smile always out of love for one's neighbour requires the virtue of fortitude.
Any person who wants to improve the world in which he lives needs fortitude. Since everybody's life has a purpose, the noble purpose of giving glory to the creator and serving people, it is important to seriously decide to develop and exercise the virtue of fortitude to the maximum. The first field where fortitude is required is in overcoming ourselves: our laziness, pride, impatience, meanness, selfishness, etc. These are the real obstacles which prevent people from attaining their goals such as those of passing examinations, fulfilling their family duties, doing their work responsibly, winning a match, helping their neighbour, treating people lovingly, etc
Virtues Related to Fortude
Magnanimity Magnificence
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Patience Perseverance
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Constancy Responsibility
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Vices Against Fortitude
Indifference/fearlessness - Fear is meant to be a guide for man to avoid dangerous and unwarranted risking of his life.
Cowardice
Foolhardiness - taking unnecessary risks in order to achieve an end.
Vices against magnanimity - Ambition as a vice, Vain glory, Pusillanimity (shrinking from undertaking great enterprises)
Vices against magnificence - meanness, ostentatious-ness or waste
Vices against patience, constancy and perseverance. - Impatience, softness, stubbornness
Temperance is the cardinal virtue which moderates the pleasure which accompanies bodily functions so that it is sought according to reason and not for its own sake. This is why temperance has been called self mastery.
A Human life that is guided by the principle of natural impulse or feelings has no right to be called "human." It has fallen under the laws that govern the animal kingdom. At this level, man, unfortunately, leads an animal life. This road end in sadness and misery
it helps man to know how to do without those things which cause harm to his body and soul. Temperance makes a person sober, modest and understanding; in short, it makes him a master of himself by freeing him from becoming a slave of pleasure.
The virtue of temperance should be exercised in controlling both external senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell as well as the internal senses of imagination and memory.
Man can and should exercise control over his senses in
such a way that he uses them to acquire knowledge and using the knowledge to
serve others. This moderation extends to use of things and time. Professor
Isaacs says: "A person who is moderate, distinguishes between what is reasonable
and what is self-indulgent and makes reasonable use of his senses, his time, his
money, his efforts and so on, in accordance with true and upright principles."
- Character Building by Professor David Isaacs page 115.
Against this background of man's desire to live a moderate life, we find the wave of consumerism and hedonism. Both these trends tend to place man's highest ideals on the consumption of material goods and on pleasure. It is necessary for us to struggle against these false ideals which distort man's real worth and the real source of his happiness.
The fruits of intemperance of uncontrolled pleasure seeking and indulgence are bitter and are not at all conducive to peaceful community life. Intemperance leads for instance, to indifference to the needs of others because it centers man on himself.
Temperance has two integral elements which help a person to practice this virtue. These are bashfulness or shame and respectability. Bashfulness or shame is the natural reserve that a man experiences about what is most personal and intimate to him. It is also there when a person is doing something dishonourable. The sense of respectability attracts the person towards what is clean, beautiful and good.
VIRTUES RELATED TO TEMPERANCE
1. ABSTINENCE - That part of temperance that moderates for example eating and drinking. Man does not live to eat but rather eats to live. it is therefore a disorder for someone to either eat greater or smaller quantities of food than necessary, or to eat too frequently. These practices tend to harm one's health and are morally wrong. Abstinence enables a person to eat a little less than what he feels like eating.
2. SOBRIETY - moderates drinking of alcoholic drinks.
3. CONTINENCE helps man to resist the sex impulse.
4. MEEKNESS - capacity to moderate ones desire in the application of punishment. A clement person will decrease punishment when reason shows that severity will not help the wrong doer to amend his ways but would rather harden him.
5. MODESTY - Regulates all actions other than those which have to do with food and drink e.g. dressing. Elegance is the virtue of one who knows how to dress presentably without attracting undue attention.
6. CHASTITY - regulates the use of reproductive powers according to their purposes. Reason shows that the powers exist mainly for the good of the species and should be used within marriage. Before marriage continence, which is complete abstention from sex , should be practiced by all single men and women.
7. RESPECT - refinement in dealing with other people. A person who has respect for other's acts so as to benefit himself and others so as not to inflict harm on himself or on them.
VICES AGAINST TEMPERANCE
1. GLUTTONY - the habit of eating for the sake of the pleasure derived from it. A glutton misses the point of the purpose of eating which is meant to sustain his life. He either eats in excess or too frequently.
2. DRUNKENNESS - state of losing ones reasoning power as a result of drinking alcohol excessively. Drug addiction has similar effects as drunkenness. In both cases, a person loses mastery over himself, besides the harm he does to his organs. Excess alcohol destroys the liver while excess drugs destroy the nervous system.
3. LUST - unbridled seeking of the pleasure of sex without directing it to its due end which is the generation of human life and intimate companionship within marriage. It is a cause of such vices as mental blindness, inconstancy, rashness, thoughtlessness and selfishness.
4. ANGER - habit of yielding to the desire of vengeance beyond reason, either by punishing a person who does not deserve punishment or by exceeding its due measure. If anger is caused by a just desire for vengeance, it is not a vice. Practice meekness.
5. PRIDE - comes from the will of being what one is not. A proud person ends up making himself the centre of everything. This is why pride is in fact the chief vice. All vices are rooted in pride. Practice modesty and humility.
6. NEGLIGENCE -habit of failing to use the necessary means for example in order to acquire knowledge or to maintain ones health.
7. FRIVOLITY - giving too much importance to ones appearance such as the way of dressing, hair condition, etc
8. SHABBINESS - complete neglect of ones external appearance.
Both frivolity and shabbiness are contrary to elegance and are a way of attracting attention to oneself. Both could be signs that a person is vain because he would like others to centre their attention on him.
See also:
- Jesus Christ
- Believer
- Satan
- 666
- Theism/Atheism
- Death
- Salvation
- GOOD SAMARITAN
- FALSE TEACHERS
- RICH DECEIVED
- QURAN ERRORs
- Christ Passion
- Scripture
- MARTIN LUTHER INTRODUCTION
- JOSEPH AND JESUS
- DAVINCi CODE
- RFID
- Excluded Verses
- Religion
- St Basil Hymnal
- Christian Wallpaper
- Believes
- Joseph Prince
- JC