Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Moral Principles are the Foundation to Effective Living

Moral principles govern conduct and behaviour. Moral principles tell us how to be good. They are the natural laws of conduct in the human dimension. They are the roots and foundation of all human and social interaction, the foundation to living. All human conduct is governed by moral principles. There is no human action, behaviour or conduct that is not governed by principles. Principles govern even though man may not believe that the moral law exists or governs. Principles are universal, meaning they apply at all times, in all places and all situations. Principles never change. They are unchangeable as gravity or motion. Principles are absolute; there is good conduct and there is evil conduct. There is right and wrong. Religions believe that moral principles are absolute; secularism believes there are no absolutes. Catholics believe there is black and white to human conduct. Secularism only believes in grey or no colour exists at all. Catholics believe that principles apply to all behaviour; the secular mind believes that no principles apply but that behaviour is to be interrupted. Principles bring order to chaos. Physical laws bring order to matter. Moral laws bring order to man. Principles are real and objective facts. Principles are not values. Values are like maps; they represent the territory, but are not good when the territory changes constantly. Values change; principles never change. They always point in the correct direction like a compass. If man does not believe in sin then he doesn’t believe there are objective laws governing conduct. If there is no sin there is no repentance and salvation is not necessary. One follows the other. You cannot repent for a sin that does not exist. Bur Catholics know sin is real and salvation comes through Christ.

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