Chapter 3

List three actions you can take to help transform yourself from a victim

1. Face problems rather than dodge them→ remember suffering is not always evil or opposed to God. Suffering can be an opportunity to grow and learn about yourself and the world around you. 2. Keep close the people you love→ continue to have a social life, ask for advice of trusted others, lean on them who you need help, don't isolate yourself 3. Be responsible for your own decisions→ don't wait for a knight in shining armor, or a warrior princess to come rescue you

What are three problems with thinking that suffering is always Gods's way of disciplining us and making us stronger?

First, while it is true that suffering can be a form of discipline and can strengthen our character, suffering in itself is no guarantee that we will become better persons. Some people can respond to suffering and become angry and bitter. Second, if suffering is always a form of discipline, then being "virtuous" would entail seeking suffering for its own sake. Deliberately seeking pain is masochistic. And inflicting pain on others is sadistic. Third, perhaps we can't have happiness without sorrow- like two sides of the same coin. Perhaps suffering is not a punishment, test, or form of discipline; perhaps happiness is not a reward.

How did Jesus approach suffering and death so that it would be redemptive?

He accepted the reality that he was going to suffer and die and made it redemptive. He became the perfect sacrifice. He endured suffering- not as a victim, but as a priest and victor. In every way, Jesus became the suffering servant.

Explain how our sense of retributive justice leads to the problem of theodicy?

Retributive justice is the type of justice we seek when if we do something good, we expect to be rewarded. This leads to problems with theodicy because when we are trying to reconcile God's justice with the fact of unjust events and suffering in the world, we cant rationalize. Its hard to think that bad things can happen to good people.

masochism

an unhealthy desire to inflict pain, humiliation, abuse or suffering on oneself

sadism

an unhealthy desire to inflict pain, humiliation, abuse, or suffering on someone else

what is the difference between superstition and healthy religious devotional practices?

Superstition involves the belief that bad luck has irrational causes (magic or certain actions) where as good religious people ascribe tragedy to other superstitions-their failure to say certain prayers, or maintain specific devotional practices.

According to Church teaching, what is the relationship between suffering and freedom?

The church believes that human evil and suffering underline God's freedom. Instead of responding to humans with strict justice, God, is free to respond with mercy, love, forgiveness and compassion. Nothing we do controls what God will do. We are always free to choose how we will react to evil and unmerited suffering. The experience of suffering does not determine who we are or how we must act.

What are two problems with thinking that suffering is always a punishment for one's sin's?

The first problem is that this way of thinking doesn't present God in a very attractive light. The second reason is that it doesn't account for the suffering of innocent people, especially children and babies.

What are two problems with thinking that suffering is always God's way of testing our faith?

To say that God sends us suffering to test us could imply that God is sadistic and cruel. It makes God seem like Satan and like we are playing a game. Also, it implies that God is not omniscient - all knowing (present, past, and future).It implies that he only knows our faith by our external actions, but in reality God knows what's in our hearts and knows what we need before we say the words.

works of mercy

charitable actions directed toward meeting the physical (corporal) and spiritual needs of others

capital sins

evil tendencies within us that predispose us to sin.The seven capital sins-- pride, covetous, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth-- are the root cases of most sins. They also cause a great deal of suffering in this world

omniscient

the ability of God to know everything-- past, present, and future. God can read human hearts and know what we need before we say the words

what influences the Church's punishment of heretics?

the idea that guilt for sin can be inherited by one's children (pope Gregory VII excommunicated descendants of heretics down to the seventh generation)

superstition

the non-Christian belief that bad luck has irrational causes-- magic or certain actions, such as walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror

theodicy

the problem of trying to reconcile God's justice with the fact of unjust evil and suffering in the world. How could bad things happen to good people?

original sin

the sin of Adam and Eve; the lack in humans of the original holiness and justice that the first humans had, resulting in concupiscence which is the inherited tendency within all humans to be attracted to evil and to choose sin over virtuous living, even after Baptism

retributive justice

the type of justice in which good people are rewarded and evil people are punished