Identify and outline common themes between the two denominations
Common Themes of Catholicism
Life and Dignity of the Human Person One of the first themes and most important claims the respect for human life, one of the most fundamental needs in a world distorted by greed and selfishness. The Catholic Church strongly believe and teach that all human life is sacred and that the foundation for social teachings is the dignity of the human person. The theme provides constant challenges to major issues of abortion, suicide, death penalty and human cloning. A explicit value from this theme is that every human life is a gift for God and very precious. Call to Family, Community, and Participation Another major theme in Catholicism, Call to Family, Community, and Participation proclaims that the human body can be sacred, but is social as well. It outlines the importance and effectiveness of how we do and achieve things such as law that affects human dignity and community, organising society in economics and politics. Catholicism themes argue against society exhibiting the importance of individualism, stressing that humans are accomplished in the integration of family and community. The Catholic Church strongly states, humans have the upmost responsibility to indulge themselves in society and advertise the common good, specifically do the poor and vulnerable. Rights and Responsibilities The one and only way human dignity can be protected successfully, if responsibilities of all humans are being met and human rights are protected. The Catholic Church comprehensively teaches that each person obtains a duty and responsibility to help fulfil these rights for our families, community and society as each person has a fundamental right to the basic needs of life and a right to life. Catholic tradition insists that both personal and social responsibilities are needed to respond to the fundamental rights to all human beings. Common Themes of Orthodox Eschatology A common Orthodox theme proclaims that when a person perishes, the soul is temporarily separated from the body. It might remain on Earth for a short time, it is then delivered either to heaven or the darkness of Hades, following the Temporary Judgment. Orthodox do not accept the doctrine of Purgatory, which is obtained by Roman Catholicism. The Orthodox believe that the state of the soul in Hades can be affected by the love and prayers of the righteous up until the Last Judgment, much like Purgatory. The soul’s experience of either of these states is only a "foretaste"—being experienced only by the soul—until the Final Judgment, when the soul and body will be reunited. Trinity Orthodox Christians believe in the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity is three, distinct, divine persons without overlap or modality among them, who share one divine essence uncreated, immaterial and eternal. These three persons are typically distinguished in by their relation to each other. The Father is eternal and not begotten and does not proceed from any, the Son is eternal and begotten of the Father, and the Holy Spirit is eternal and proceeds from the Father, also summarised as the Nicene Creed. In discussing God's relationship to His creation, Orthodox theology distinguishes between God's eternal essence, which is totally transcendent, and His uncreated energies, which is how He reaches us. Bibliography: Eastern Orthodox Church 2012, N/A, accessed 7 September 2015, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Church>. Catholic Themes 2013, N/A, accessed 7 September 2015, <http://www.stpeterslist.com/1444/catholic-social-teaching-in-the-public-square-7-themes/>.
Major Themes of Catholic Social Teaching 2014, N/A, accessed 7 September 2015, <http://www.accunet.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3632> Catholic Social Teachings Movie 2013, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEFVDUXMFfk, N/A. |
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