Intro to CST

Have you heard of Catholic Social Teaching before this class?

• Yes - in other religion classes

• Yes - in my Church and/or family

• No

• Not sure

A third way between two political parties

• Catholic Social Teaching IS

• Catholic Social Teaching IS NOT

Answer explanation

Catholic Social Teaching is meant for the whole world, not just modern American society! CST gives us a way to evaluate social and political systems/parties of all sorts!

Helpful only to Catholics

• Catholic Social Teaching IS

• Catholic Social Teaching IS NOT

Answer explanation

A key principle of CST is to promote the common good - not just the good of Catholics!

Based on Scripture and Tradition

• Catholic Social Teaching IS

• Catholic Social Teaching IS NOT

Answer explanation

Modern CST - the focus of this class - starts around 1891. However, its guidelines are rooted in a deep Scriptural study of justice and is built on the work of great theologians in our Tradition.

Able to respond to the reality of injustice

• Catholic Social Teaching IS

• Catholic Social Teaching IS NOT

Answer explanation

CST cares for both the spiritual and material needs of individuals and society. These are not just ideals for "perfect world," but concrete guidelines for our reality.

Insists the people served by Catholics become Catholic

• Catholic Social Teaching IS

• Catholic Social Teaching IS NOT

Answer explanation

CST certianly highlights the love central to the Gospel message and may very well convert hearts to Christ, but it's primary purpose is to convert *our* own hearts.

Engaging to people’s everyday lives

• Catholic Social Teaching IS

• Catholic Social Teaching IS NOT

Answer explanation

You do not have to be a politician, activist, or priest to live out CST. The principles are meant to inform your everyday interactions - whether it be with family, schoolmates, or workplace.

A political community

• Catholic Social Teaching IS

• Catholic Social Teaching IS NOT

Answer explanation

Our redemption through Christ and adoption as sons and daughters of the Father predates any modern conception of politics. Yes, politics come up as we try to find policies that best fit the vision of the Gospel. But CST is primarily a moral issue.

A new economic system halfway between capitalism and socialism

• Catholic Social Teaching IS

• Catholic Social Teaching IS NOT

Answer explanation

Again - the light of the Gospel predates our modern economic systems (themselves only about ~400 years old). There are many ways to organize an economy. CST helps us to make those decisions - but does not promote or endorse any one economic system.

Ultimate aim is to lead people to heaven with instruction on how to act within society

• Catholic Social Teaching IS

• Catholic Social Teaching IS NOT

Answer explanation

What we do on earth matters. CST gives us the principles and guidelines to make moral choices in the hopes of building a kingdom like Gods here on earth.