J1ST 125: Freedom of Religion
Today we are tackling the third and final topic in the Rights and Responsibility section of Catholic Social Teaching, as laid out by the USCCB: Freedom of Religion.
Following the Second Vatican Council, the Church taught that all people have a right FROM and FOR religion. This means that we can’t force people to be part of a certain religion. It also means that a person can not be hindered or prevented from practicing a certain religion, unless they are endangering or infringing on the rights of other people. Therefore, all people must be free to seek and follow God in the way their conscience leads them.
With children, we MUST follow up a conversation on freedom of religion with a reinforcement that the Catholic Church, the Church founded by Jesus Christ, is the One, True Church. Where the Church recognizes that each person must be free to either love or reject God, and therefore, be part of His Church or not, this does not mean that all religions are equally good choices. They are not. The lie of Moral Relativism is something we must actively fight to protect or children from.
In this episode I mention this book published by the University of Mary. Highly Recommend: From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age
Our exploration of Freedom of Religion comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.
Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights.To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth
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Your sister in the small things,
Nancy
Religion is a complex and multifaceted aspect of human culture and society. It typically involves beliefs and practices related to the existence, nature, and purpose of the universe and its creator or creators, often involving a higher power or supernatural force. Religion often encompasses moral codes, ethical guidelines, and rituals that are intended to guide human behavior and provide a framework for understanding the world.