Catholicism For Dummies, 2nd Edition by Rev. John Trigilio Jr. PhD ThD & Rev. Kenneth Brighenti PhD

Author:Rev. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD & Rev. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley Publishing
Published: 2011-10-11T16:00:00+00:00

Engaging in sexual intercourse without a lifelong commitment blessed by God is also dishonest. Having sex before or outside of marriage is considered dishonest because the people involved deserve only the best, and the best is the total gift of self — lifelong commitment, fidelity, and openness to the possibility that God may use this couple to bring a new human life into the world.

VII and X: Honor the property of others

The Seventh Commandment, “You shall not steal,” and the tenth commandment, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods,” focus on respecting and honoring the possessions of others.

The Seventh Commandment forbids the act of taking someone else’s property, and the Tenth Commandment forbids wanting to do so.

Explicitly, these two commandments condemn theft and the feelings of envy, greed, and jealousy in reaction to what other people have. The Catholic Church believes that, implicitly, these commandments also denounce cheating people of their money or property, depriving workers of their just wage, or not giving employers a full day’s work for a full day’s pay. Embezzlement, fraud, tax evasion, and vandalism are all considered extensions of violations of the Seventh Commandment. Showing disrespect for the private ownership of someone else’s property — be it money or possessions — occurs when these sinful acts take place.

In addition, the Church believes that governments have no right to usurp private property and nationalize businesses, and they do have an obligation to protect private property and to help individuals and other nations in great need.

The Church maintains that personal property is a fundamental right, but it’s not considered an absolute right. If a person owns more food than he needs, and someone comes along who is starving, the person with more food than he needs is obligated to share with the one who’s starving. In the same way, governments and corporations have no right to deny the individual his inalienable right to private property. But although private property is a right, it’s subservient to higher values, such as human life and national security.

VIII: Honor the truth

The Eighth Commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,” condemns lying. Because God is regarded as the author of all truth, the Church believes that humans are obligated in the Eighth Commandment to honor the truth. The most obvious way to fulfill this commandment is not to lie, to intentionally deceive another by speaking a falsehood.

Low blows and cheap shots

Lies come in many different forms, and sometimes even the truth can be sinful, depending on your intentions. For example:

Calumny is telling a lie about someone with the purpose of ruining his reputation.

Detraction is telling the truth about someone, usually something embarrassing and confidential, with the intent and purpose of ruining her reputation.

Slander is verbally telling lies about someone.

Libel is publishing a lie in print, such as in a book, magazine, or newspaper. People in the public eye are often victims of libel.

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